Clemson University redshirt senior gymnast Brie Clark has been named Clemson’s Best Female Athlete, an honor voted on by both her peers and the broader local community. For Clark, the award reflects more than routines and rankings: it represents the support system and values that shaped her Clemson career.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” Clark told The Tiger about receiving the award. “But I just think it’s so cool to have that community feel from Clemson and all that support into our program. The support here that we have is unlike any other place. So it truly means the world.”
Clark’s recognition marks the third straight year a gymnast has earned the title, underscoring the rapid rise of the gymnastics program since its inaugural season in spring 2023. As a member of Clemson’s first team, she helped build the foundation from the ground up, an opportunity she describes as rare.
“It’s been so cool,” Clark said. “Not a lot of people can say that they were part of building and structuring a program, and we’re kind of learning as we go together.”
Her career has been defined by breakthrough moments. Most recently, Clark earned a career-high score highlighted by a perfect 10 from one judge. Still, she said the number itself was not what stood out most.
“The takeaway from that moment was the feeling that I got with my teammates,” Clark said. “They were lifting me in the air. It was just a really cool, fun moment.”
Nearly a year earlier, Clark became the first collegiate gymnast to land the Biles I, a skill she had first performed in high school but had struggled to bring into her college routines.
“For it to finally come true after a couple of years, that was probably my favorite career-defining moment,” she said.
Moments like that carry extra weight in a sport with little margin for error.
“You get one shot, and that’s it,” Clark continued. “You’re constantly having to adapt.”
She continued to explain how handling that pressure depends heavily on perspective, preparation and the steady support of teammates she considers family.
“No matter what happens, we still support each other and love each other,” she told The Tiger.
Her composure also stems from her faith. Before each event, Clark taps each finger while repeating the phrase “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” which keeps her grounded and calm.
Faith has always been central to her life, something her parents instilled from a young age.
“My parents always taught me to keep God at the center of every single thing that I do,” Clark said. “Prayer has been so helpful in my journey and a crucial part of it.”
That spiritual foundation was paired with unconditional support at home.
“One thing they always tell me is, ‘We don’t care what happens on the floor. We will always love you no matter what,” she continued. “I don’t think I would be where I am without them.”
With that perspective, Clark believes representing Clemson means competing with gratitude and joy.
“Just going out there and showing joy in every single thing that we do,” she said. “Working hard, always continuing to strive to get better and not taking any opportunity for granted. That’s how we can best represent Clemson.”
As her redshirt senior season winds down, Clark knows how she wants to be remembered.
“I want to be remembered as a trailblazer who set the path for future teams to come,” Clark said, “leaving it better than I found it so it can continue to grow and build.”
With one final season nearing its close, Clark’s legacy is already evident, not only as an award-winning athlete, but as a foundational piece of Clemson gymnastics and a competitor who performed with purpose, gratitude and unwavering faith.
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