Kingswood Oxford Students Breaks Long-Standing Track Record Time

Kingswood Oxford student Claire Palmer ’25 holds the fastest 3,000 time ever recorded across all three divisions of the New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA) in this spring's track meets. Palmer broke the 10-minute mark in the 3000m — first at the Founders League Championship and then again at the New England Championships, clocking an astounding 9:49. Even more impressive, she also broke 4:40 in the 1500m, running a 4:31 and setting a new meet record. Both times surpassed long-standing records held by a Marianapolis athlete previously considered unbeatable. Remarkably, Palmer achieved these feats on the same day — a demanding and nearly unheard-of accomplishment.

Claire Palmer’s ’25 father attests that when Claire was a fussy six-month-old, he would hold her up on his lap, and her legs would start running in place like a wind-up toy with nowhere to go. Perhaps this auspicious start might explain why she is arguably the fastest distance runner that the prep schools of New England have ever recorded.

By all accounts, Claire Palmer ’25 is a rare force in high school athletics — a record-breaking long-distance runner whose speed and stamina are matched only by her humility and sportsmanship.
Since her freshman year, Palmer has steadily risen through the ranks at KO, initially participating in cross-country, track, and even swimming. But it wasn’t long before she found her stride, quite literally, on the track. “She was a good runner in ninth grade,” said track coach David Baker. “But she became a great runner in her sophomore year.”

From there, Palmer’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Her sophomore season marked the beginning of a string of accomplishments, but it was in her junior and senior years that she shattered expectations — and records.

In her junior year, Palmer swept the New England Division 3 Championships, winning the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events — a triple crown feat that also earned her the meet’s MVP honor. She simultaneously reset all three school records in the process.

What motivates Palmer as she races? “It’s mental. It’s not always easy,” she said, “ but you push through it even when you feel you can’t. I love seeing progress and seeing that I'm doing my personal best.” She’s learned an important life lesson from running - you can always do more than you think you can.

“In both events, the 3,000 and the 1500 at the New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA), she didn’t just win — she broke meet records,” said Baker. “She now holds the fastest 3,000 time ever recorded across all three divisions of NEPSTA, and her 1500 is the second fastest by just 0.6 seconds.

Beyond raw talent, Baker emphasizes the technical mastery and control she brings to every race. “Her form is exceptional,” he explains. “She has an incredible cadence and stride — she covers so much ground with each step and maintains a steady rhythm over long distances.”

Palmer’s ability to hold a consistent pace in both the mile and two-mile events is rare. “Her pacing is nearly identical — she knows how to manage her energy like a seasoned pro,” Baker said, “That's an elite-level skill.”

Despite her individual dominance, Claire is deeply invested in team culture. “She’s super encouraging,” Baker said. “She wants everyone to succeed. She trains hard, but she also trains with joy — and brings others along with her.”

“It’s only solitary when you’re running,” said Palmer. “My teammates and I pace together and work out together. It’s great having good friends lift you when you’re racing and let you know that you are right on pace. If you don’t have good people around you, you’re not going to run as well.”

That spirit was on full display during a rain-soaked practice ahead of the Founders meet. With puddles collecting on the gravel track, Palmer didn’t hesitate. “She said, ‘I’m running in lane one. We’re getting wet,” recalls Baker. Her attitude transformed the session into a mud-splashed, hard-working, laughter-filled memory. “She set the tone — you push yourself, but you can still have fun.”
Despite all her successes, Palmer remains remarkably grounded and genuine. “She’s not someone who flaunts her wins,” Baker said. “She shakes hands with competitors, respects their efforts, and is always the first to lift up her teammates,” Baker said. Palmer is always looking for ways to help her teammates push themselves further than they thought they could.

She even requested that teammates join her for personal New Balance Nationals training sessions with Baker in June — a testament to her desire to uplift the team, even while pursuing individual excellence. She prepared for Nationals by training rigorously, incorporating track workouts, tempo runs, recovery days, and long-distance sessions. Baker met with her twice a week to fine-tune pacing and speed. Part of her training included a grueling routine that would make Usain Bolt's knees knock. Some include 16 X 200-meter repeats, and a 200, 400, 800, 1,200, 800, 400, 200-meter session.

“We’re hoping for more personal bests,” said Baker.

Perhaps most inspiring is how Palmer has learned to navigate the mental challenges of high-level competition. Early in her career, she would sometimes struggle under pressure and focused on beating her opponents. But this season, Baker has seen a shift.

“She’s learned to run her own race — not focus on who’s ahead or behind. She’s found her inner pace and her calm,” he said. “When she shared that lesson at senior night — how she learned to trust herself and not be derailed by pressure — it really hit me.”

Palmer shared that when she was preparing for the Founders League, her goal was to run under 10 minutes in the 3,000m. Her coach, David Baker, believed she could achieve this goal and developed a plan to help her do so. He suggested that she focus on running her race and hold on to a time of faster than 80 seconds per lap for as long as possible. When she crossed the finish line in nine minutes and forty-eight seconds, she was literally in shock. Mr. Baker ran over to the finish, and she told him that she couldn’t believe her time, but he replied, “Well, I can.”

But Baker is not her only coach, and she said each of her track coaches contributes to her success. “They all help in different ways,” she said. “Ms. Watson is super high energy and positive, and Mr. Goodman gives really good advice.” She said the track team calls Goodman’s pearls of wisdom “Goodmanisms.” Some notable motivators include “Believe in yourself because others believe in you” and “Don’t lose the race before you’ve begun.”

Palmer is more than a decorated athlete. She is a model of leadership, resilience, and grace. As she heads into Nationals and to Middlebury College, her legacy at KO — and across New England — is already cemented. But for those lucky enough to have trained with her, run beside her, or simply cheered from the sidelines, Palmer’s greatest triumph might just be the community she’s helped build, stride by stride.