Davis competes at state track and field championships

Junior Jessica Davis of King City High School competed in the 100 meter and 300 meter hurdles at the 2012 C.I.F. state track and field finals held in Clovis, Calif., at Veterans Memorial Stadium on the campus of Buchanan High School.

Davis took first place in the C.C.S. 300 meter hurdles with a time of 45.19 despite very windy and cold running conditions. Jessica has been a tremendous young athlete who has also excelled in softball, volleyball and basketball. Unlike other sports in high schools where there are different divisions based on the size of school and enrollment, the C.I.F. state championships are open to all schools in the state of California and their qualifying athletes. Needless to say, it's very difficult to make it there amongst the elite track and field athletes across this golden state.

Jessica was born and raised in King City and comes from a very athletic and competitive family. Her mother, Wendy Davis was also a track star in her days at King City High and her father Brent Davis, and two brothers have also been very much into sports and have been very competitive athletes as well, which has helped Jessica develop in sports as she was growing up in her younger years.

King City Track Coach Dave Daines said, "I have been coaching for over nine years, and I have never had an athlete that made it to the state championships."

Daines also spoke about how Davis comes from a very athletic family and how her work ethic is second to none, as she would do hurdle drills over and over to make sure she was the best that she could be. Daines added, "When you have great athletes like Jessica, it makes you look like a great coach."

When asked how it feels to be going to the state championships, Davis said, "I usually don't get nervous, but to get to this level has brought a lot of attention my way and it's kind of nerve-racking." When asked how she would deal with that pressure just moments before she took her place at the starting line Jessica added, "I really try and clear my mind and focus. I don't want to even look at the other competitors before the race."

The Flores family was very proud of Jessica and it has been a magical year thus far, but Jessica's mother said, "We just want her to give 100 percent so she can walk away knowing that she gave her very best".



For the complete article see the 06-06-2012 issue.