Like every state, Arkansas has its famous families, those that have risen to the top of their respective fields of endeavor. Mention Walton, Hunt or Stephens and people immediately think of business; mention Rockefeller, Pryor or Huckabee and thoughts turn to politics.
In northwest Arkansas, one family has made its name in several ways. The Pohlmeiers of Fayetteville are known for their longstanding contributions to Catholic education and doctrine, with educators, administrators, deacons and even a bishop on the family tree. And, of late, the family is also known for winning — a lot — a tradition carried on by Clare Pohlmeier, one of the top runners in the state.
Pohlmeier, a junior at Ozark Catholic Academy, has been a runner to watch in Class 1A since she was a freshman, both on the track and over the cross-country course. As a ninth grader, she placed second in the 1A state cross country meet, a feat she repeated last season as the girls team placed third overall in both years.
In track, her inaugural state meet saw her come home with two silvers ― 1600 meters and 3200 meters ― and a bronze in the 4×800 relay as the Griffins were second in team scoring. Last spring, however, OCA turned the tide and laid waste to the field, winning the 1A girls’ track title led by their super sophomore. Pohlmeier won at 3200 meters and was second at 800 meters, 1600 meters and the 4×800 meter relay.
Pohlmeier said her focus in off-season training has been on consistency, keeping the right intensity and driving to improve. She’s also honed the mental aspect to match her physical abilities.
“It’s really hard to stay positive with running,” she said. “A big thing is, when it comes to running, your body can go further, but it’s your mind telling you to stop because it’s too painful. It’s really hard to get over that hurdle of telling your body that you can do it when your mind says you can’t.”
When asked for her techniques for training the mind in such a grueling sport, Pohlmeier said she relies on her Catholic faith.
“Honestly, I like to pray a lot while I run,” she said. “I’ll be running, and if I start to have those thoughts of, like, you can’t do it, I’ll be like, no, God says I can, so I’ll just keep going. It makes it easier for me to push myself during practices.”
Pohlmeier’s other secret weapon has been the presence of her older brother, Isaac Pohlmeier, an OCA senior. One of the most decorated high school runners in Arkansas over the past three seasons, Isaac brought home eight golds over the past two years at state track to go with state championship cross-country titles each of the last two years. OCA’s boys, however, were edged out in 2024’s team scoring, spoiling a quest for back-to-back titles and giving Clare a measure of bragging rights.
“There’s a lot of, like, little sibling competitions. You want to be better than the other,” she said. “During the season, we’ll always be joking with each other as to who’s better or whatever. But then, when it comes down to the actual important meets, we’re always cheering each other on and being there for each other.”
She chuckled, then added, “It’s definitely a complicated relationship.”
What isn’t complicated is the challenge that lies before the squad in the new year. Due to the Griffins’ dominance, the school was reclassified 2A, pitting them against larger schools. Ever the competitor, the unflappable Pohlmeier doesn’t shy away when handicapping her squad’s chances to hang with the tougher competition.
“I think it’s going to be a really big mental game this season,” she said. “We all need to be on the same page if we want to win. We’re all going to have to work individually and push ourselves as hard as we can, but also push as a team and help other people be motivated to work hard. That’s really it, same as always.”