Mary Ellen CLARK

Mary Ellen Clark was a platform specialist who won bronze medals on platform at the 1992 and 1996 Oympics. Clark attended Penn State and later received a masters’ degree in health and physical education from The Ohio State University. She won seven US titles, five on platform and two on springboard. In 1994 she was a triple national champion, winning the platform and on both springboards.

Between her two Olympic appearances, Clark had to overcome one of the most difficult problems a diver could face. She developed vertigo, which only affected her ability to dive. With training, medication, and working on her overall conditioning, she was able to overcome it and get back on the boards, although she missed the entire 1995 season.

Clark later became a motivational speaker, a personal trainer, and a diving coach. In 2004 she was named head diving coach at Amherst College and Mount Holyoke College, also teaching the local high school in Amherst. She later moved to Wellesley College where she was head diving coach and assistant director of strength and conditioning. Clark was also certified as a personal fitness trainer by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.