Performing in crunch time

An Eden Prairie charter school teacher had the school behind him in his pursuit of a world record for sit-ups.

By Patrice Relerford, Star Tribune

Last update: November 20, 2007 - 10:27 PM

Their chants grew louder each time Jim Clark grimaced and lifted his upper body, plus a 75-pound dumbbell, off the floor.

"Keep going," one boy yelled as more than 350 students at Eden Prairie's Eagle Ridge Academy counted Clark's 91st weighted sit-up.

Seconds later, the muscular, 43-year-old teacher of Spanish, rhetoric and philosophy surpassed 112, which he said is the 1982 world record for consecutive sit-ups with 71 pounds. The crowd of students and staff members that had gathered in the charter school's cafeteria on Tuesday morning erupted.

Their claps, cheers and screams almost drowned out the announcement that Clark did a total of 120. It was more than enough for him to put a claim on the record.

"My stomach hurts just thinking about it," said math instructor Robbie Oeltjenbruns.

Afterward, Clark stood up and took a few seconds to regain his breath. The crowd waited.

Then he resumed his teaching role, putting what he'd done in context for the students.

He explained that ancient Greek and Roman soldiers did sit-ups while lifting their shields or other weapons.

"This was a real honor to do it in front of the students here," Clark told the audience.

The former Navy SEAL spent at least two hours each day at the gym for more than a year getting ready for the challenge.

Clark, who lives in Crystal, wrestled at Elk River High School during the 1980s and began attempting to break world records in 1987. He appeared on David Letterman's TV show after he did 44,001 sit-ups in 24 hours in 1989.

"He's like a gentle giant," Eagle Ridge math teacher Susan Reid said. "We're so glad to have him here."

She served as one of two judges for Clark and must prepare a statement that will be sent to Strength and Speed and the Guinness World Records along with a video.

They'll review several aspects of Clark's attempt, to make sure that no one assisted him, that he actually lifted the 75 pounds, that his feet never left the floor and that his sit-ups were consecutive.

"It's kind of exciting," Eagle Ridge senior Ashley Milton, 17, said. "It makes him special."

Eagle Ridge Director Judi Ingison said the path to Tuesday morning began several weeks ago as students heard that Clark was training for the record.

Ingison said the students' excitement led her to allow Clark to make his attempt at the school. Eagle Ridge's curriculum emphasizes classical math, science and language instruction -- every student studies Latin -- and it also focuses on self-discipline.

Clark said it is rewarding now to hear students discuss world records they might attempt to break someday.

Eagle Ridge junior Ubenti Tepi-ra, 17, doesn't have her sights set on any records but said it was "cool" to see her Spanish teacher in a different light.

"You see your teacher at the grocery store and it's weird sometimes," Tepi-ra said. "It shows that he has a life outside of school."

Patrice Relerford • 612-673-4395

Patrice Relerford • prelerford@startribune.com

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