Tribute to Mark Clarke, Class '73… Sprint Star of the Early 1970's
by Dr Lloyd Tenn
It is with great sadness that we learnt lately of the passing of Mark Clarke, STGC's sprint star of the early 1970's.
In an era where Kingston College and Camperdown High dominated the Track and Field High School Championships, Mark was a stand out as an outsider not coming from these two dominant track schools. With his 'speed' partner Peter Gooden also from the Class of 1973, they dominated the Class II hurdles, 200m and 400m races. In the 1973 Champs, Mark won the 110 m Hurdles in record time, 2nd in the 200m while Peter won the 200m and 400m. STGC placed 6th in the Championship that year.
Mark was tall, slim but strong and was unusual in that he was one of the few good caucasian sprinters in Jamaican high school. A charmer, he was very friendly and well-liked by his peers.
He won a track scholarship to Howard University which did not work out and returned to Jamaica to pursue a science degree at UWI. Eventually, he migrated to the USA, settling in Huston, Texas.
He apparently developed heart issues a few years ago and returned to Jamaica in 2016. He sought medical treatment in Cuba and he underwent cardiac surgery there. He returned to Jamaica but died of complications from the surgery early in 2016.
So, we have lost another great Georgian.
We pray for his family.
May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest-in-peace.
Dr Lloyd Tenn
STGC Photography
AMDG
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