Champion Connection
Clermont is known as the “Choice of Champions” because of its international reputation as the training ground for elite athletes. The combination of pristine lakes, rolling hills and warm climate make it an ideal location to train for triathlons, track-and-field events, water sports and more.
Choice of Champions also recognizes the championship spirit in all. Here are some of the many “champions” who live(d) or train(ed) in Clermont.
ATHLETES
Noah Lyles, World Record-Holding Sprinter, Youth Olympic Gold Medalist and 2019 world champion 200m
Tori Bowie, 100m and Long Jump International Medalist
Tyson Gay, 100m American Record-Holder, World Champion 100m, 200m & 4x100m Relay
Justin Gatlin, 100m Olympic Gold Medalist
Damu Cherry, 100m Hurdles, Olympic medalist married to Dennis Mitchell
Dennis Mitchell, Two-time gold medalist, track, married to Damu Cherry. President and coach of Star Athletics
Kellie Wells, 100m Hurdles, Olympic Medalist
Nina Kraft, Oldest Professional Woman Ironman Winner
Churandy Martina, Three-Time Olympic Sprinter
Gwen Jorgensen, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Triathlete, first USA woman to win World Champion in Triathlon
Shaunae Miller-Uibo, 400m Olympic champion in 2016; 200m gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games; 400m silver medalist at World Championships in 2015 and 2019; 200m bronze in 2017
Jason Couch, Professional Bowling Association Hall of Fame
Norm Duke, Professional Bowling Association Hall of Fame
Dr. Dot Richardson, Two-time Olympic gold medalist softball champion; original NTC director
Ryan Dungey, Motocross world champion
Shane Greene, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Previously pitched for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Named and All-Star in 2019
Lance Bauman, NTC's PURE Athletics track team coach; coached women's 4x100 Olympic team in 2016
Kaylin Whitney, Clermont East Ridge star, broke a 16-year-old national high-school record for the 100-meter dash at the 2014 USA Track & Field Junior Championship
OTHER CHAMPIONS
Michaela McLean, first Miss Florida from Clermont: Miss Florida 2019 and Miss Florida Citrus
Kate DiCamillo, Newbery-Medal author of The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn-Dixie. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
Edmond Amateis, renowned sculptor born in Rome in 1897, developed the Dorothy Amateis rhododendron after moving to Clermont
George Perez, Comic book writer and illustrator, whose titles include: "The Avengers," "Wonder Woman" and "Teen Titans"
Capt. Donnie Cochran, first African American pilot to fly in the Blue Angels and the first African American Commander and Flight Leader of the Blue Angels