D1 Training Feature Athlete: Brielle McClarnon
Author: D1 Training
Brielle McClarnon is a high-school senior soccer-player-turned-track-star with incredible discipline, a sunny disposition, huge goals - and a path forward to reach them. She began her athletic journey as a soccer player in fourth grade and added track and field her freshman year of high school. She even competed in Sweden with her soccer team (with fundraising help from D1)! But by her junior year, she walked off the soccer field and onto the track for good.
“I did a half marathon in New York City, and won it,” she said. “After that I was like, maybe I’m better at this than I thought.”
Indeed, she is.
McClarnon holds a personal record in the 1600 m, completing it in 5:03.58 at this year’s A-Central Division Championships, as well as a time of 11:03.40 in the 3200 m. That’s a 5-minute mile for those doing the math!
When asked what she loves about the sport, she says it’s the way it makes her feel, and the joy she gets from training and running.
“I love being with other runners, looking up to them,” she said. “I love seeing myself improve every time. I work hard, so seeing that improvement is a great feeling.”
McClarnon works very hard. She trains every day and has been training at D1 Training Middletown since it opened when she was in 7th grade. She appreciates the athlete-driven programs prescribed by her coaches.
“They know when to incorporate a lift or a sports-specific workout to help me with my sport. They always know what to train me on to make me a better runner.” Plus, McClarnon says her D1 coaches are just great people. “They care about you so much,” she said. “They even show up to my events.”
Her hard work has paid off. She was recently scouted and accepted an offer to run track for the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. But that’s not all. This athlete dreams big, with her eyes on the Olympic Games.
When asked what advice she would give to younger runners following in her footsteps, she said, “My advice is to stay consistent, work hard, don’t get down when things aren’t working, just keep going. Follow your dreams because they can come true.”
D1 Training is excited to follow McClarnon’s athletic career while at D1 Middletown, in college, and beyond. We wish her all the best!