Why Kliem was selected: Kliem won three medals at Saturday’s 2A boys state track and field finals, including as the anchor leg of BC’s state champion 4x800-meter relay

Burlington Central senior Clint Kliem capped his track and field career with three medals at Saturday’s Class 2A state finals in Charleston. The Southern Illinois-Edwardsville recruit was part of the first-place 4x800 relay and second-place 4x400 while taking sixth individually in the 800. Kliem’s efforts earned him a nod as St. Charles Bank & Trust Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week, and Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley caught up with Kliem to talk about his weekend. The following is an edited transcript:

You guys shook up Cahokia, the two-time defending 2A champs, in the relays. What was that like?
Just off of DyeStat and stuff, time-wise, we’ve kind of always had that little rivalry going. Coming in, we know they’re going to be the ones to beat. It’s just good competition.

How was it to just be an athlete for the second half of the week with school letting out for seniors?
We got out [May 23] and our graduation is [this] week. ... Definitely, just getting school finished just puts you in a better mental state of just focusing on track and not having to worry about projects or upcoming tests or finals or grades and all that. School’s over, and you can just focus on this.

Where do you put your state medals for track and cross country?
I’ve got a little [display] in my room. Usually, I put my other ones in a box, the regular meet ones. The state medals have a little bit more story and memory behind them.