Pregnancy Forces Clarke to Forgo Olympic Trials : Track: Two-time state junior college heptathlon champion says she will attend USC in the spring and return to competition.

Melanie Clarke would rather have competed in the heptathlon in the U. S. Olympic track and field trials in New Orleans over the weekend than watch the event on television.

But that was not an option for the two-time state junior college champion in the heptathlon, inasmuch as Saturday was the due date for her first child.

“It was kind of weird not being there and competing with some of my friends,” Clarke said. “But it wasn’t that frustrating. I really don’t feel that this year would have been my year anyway. It would have been a year to get my feet wet.”

Clarke, 20, is living in Northridge with boyfriend Albert Fann, Cal State Northridge’s all-time leading rusher with 4,170 yards in a football career from 1987-90.

Clarke, who won consecutive state titles for Valley College in 1990 and ‘91, had committed last year to attend USC for the spring semester, but that scholarship was put on hold when the former El Camino Real High standout learned she was pregnant.

“(The pregnancy) was a surprise,” said Clarke, who had not delivered the baby as of Tuesday night. “But I’m not the type of person to let things get me down. I’m very positive.

“A lot of my family and friends were shocked. I got a lot of negative feedback from them, but I know myself and I know what’s best for me.

“As far as the baby goes, I was going to have it no matter what. That was my decision.”

Clarke scored 5,352 points to win the heptathlon in the junior college state meet last year. She was labeled by some as the heir apparent to Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the world record-holder and 1988 Olympic heptathlon champion.

Valley Coach James Harvey said she was capable of scoring at least 5,800 points this season, a total that would have placed Clarke fifth in the NCAA Division I championships earlier this month, and seventh in the U.S. Olympic trials.

“I know a lot of girls out there are saying I’m through,” Clarke said. “But I will be back. This is just something that I had to take care of first.”

Clarke, who completed the requirements for an Associate of Arts degree at Pierce during the spring semester, said she plans to attend USC next spring, and compete for the Trojans’ track program.

In the meantime, she is looking forward to motherhood, and hopes to do some fashion modeling this fall.

“I’m really anxious to have the baby,” Clarke said. “I’m excited about being a mother.”