Oct. 25, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - Each Thursday, gostanford.com presents an interview between a former Stanford gymnast and team manager Tori Lewis. This week Tori interviews Kim Clarno. The following is Tori's conversation with Kim:

Q: Can you catch everyone on up on what you've been doing since you graduated Stanford?
A: Well, for me that was quite some time ago! I've had a career, I've gotten married, I've had three kids. I've recently taken up triathlons which is kind of fun!

Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
A: Making it this far in life, I'd say! There have been so many high points and different stages of life bring different greatest moments. What's great is that while some moment might have been the highest point during the competitive years, you come to learn that there are different ways to achieve those greatest moments.

Q: What life lessons have stuck with you from your time in the gym that you've applied outside of the gym?
A: Back in my day, we had to write an essay on paper for admission and we had to pick an adjective to describe ourselves. The adjective I picked was perseverant. I think persevering has been a consistent theme in gymnastics, in school, in a career. Sticking with things is just so important.

Q: What's your favorite memory from the gymnastics team or Stanford in general?
KiA: Well, there were definitely lots of them. For me, learning about the Big Game and the Stanford-Cal rivalry was really fun.

Q: What changes have you seen looking at Stanford Women's Gymnastics post-graduation?
A: Stanford Women's Gymnastics is amazing. We were kind of the pioneers in the infancy of the program. It was nothing like it is today. We were not the accomplished young ladies that you see on the team today: so mature and so able to reach great heights. I was definitely not as mature when I was on the team! I credit that to really good coaching: Kristen has done a really great job in developing that team spirit.

Q: If you could sum up your time on your team in one word, what would it be?
A: Priceless.

Q: How was your time in college and at Stanford different than your experience with gymnastics beforehand?
A: College gymnastics is so different than USA Gymnastics. You have to learn that performing for the team is so much more important than performing for yourself. That was the priceless part. The team cannot be replaced. I have a daughter who just went off to college and she's a swimmer... I was just so excited and told her that swimming in college is just going to be such an amazing time in your life.

Q: Do you have any specific thoughts about your particular era with the team?
A: It was a period of great growth and development. The nature of the team changed a lot every year.

Q: Do you have any advice for the current athletes?
A: Look around and be really thankful for all of the wonderful things that are available to you at Stanford and take advantage of them. Work hard in the gym and try new things... this is a great time to do it because it's available to you.

Q: Is there anything else that you're excited to share?
A: I'm really excited that all of the alumni are coming together and getting involved... it's really great to see.