Clemmie Lilley of Rumson-Fair Haven, one of the top recruits in the country, announced her eagerly anticipated college decision on Thursday afternoon.
The winner is Stanford, where Lilley will be coached by New Jersey native and legend J.J. Clark.
Lilley, one of the best high school half miler in the nation, also visited Harvard, Virginia, Duke and Florida.
"I picked Stanford because it's really always been my dream,'' said Lilley. "The first time I ever learned what college really was was in 7th grade, my friend told me Stanford is the best one, and I remember thinking to my 12-year-old self that I'll go there! Then in high school, I learned what Stanford really was and that the chance of me actually going was impossible Well, things changed. In all seriousness, in my eyes it is the most incredible university to be at. I know I'll thrive there as a student as well as an athlete. What is there not to love on the West Coast in Palo Alto, California!! The sealing factor was definitely their consistent success at NCAA's, always winning or placing top two in the 800m. As an 800m runner, there's no other place I'd want to be. It's perfect!! Coach Clark is a mastermind at the distance, having coached several Olympians. It's truly a perfect setup for me.''
Lilley said being in Paris to watch current Stanford star Juliette Whittaker run the 800 at the Olympic Games this past summer inspired her and was a key factor in her decision to attend Stanford.
"This summer I was in Paris to watch the Olympics, and when Juliette qualified for the final, I begged my mom to get a last minute ticket since I stayed in Juliette's apartment when I visited Stanford,'' said Lilley. "I met up with some of the Stanford girls and got to go watch her race with them. And she placed 7th in the whole world!! So that experience definitely confirmed my desire to go there. All of the schools I visited were definitely in the running. I went to Harvard, UVA, and Stanford in the spring, and then Duke and Florida in the fall. I feel like I was mostly down between Harvard and Stanford because they seem to have the most success in the events I see myself running in college. Ultimately, I knew that Stanford was the gold standard for middle distance, and the place I dreamed to be at no matter if I was an athlete or not!''
Lilley's has built an amazing resume during her remarkable high school career at Rumson-Fair Haven.
Last spring, she showed off her ridiculous range by running 55.38 for 400, 2:05.78 for 800 (the 7th fastest time in NJ history), and 4:51.17 for 1,600!!! Lilley is one of just four girls in NJ history to run sub 56 for 400/sub 2:10 for 800/sub 5 for 1,600!
In addition to her red hot times, Lilley won the Indoor Meet of Champions in the 800 last March, placed sixth in the 800 at the New Balance National Championships this past June, and she has captured multiple State Group Championships, Sectional titles, county ad conference championships, and has blasted several sizzling splits on Rumson-Fair Haven's relay squads.
That's not all.
Lilley is also running cross-country this season, and is coming off a very impressive 11th place finish in 18:25 at the Shore Conference Championships last week. Talk about range!!!!!
Congrats, Clem!!!
