SHS track alumni faring well in collegiate seasons
(Photo courtesy of SAYDEE BRASS) Sandpoint alumni T.J. Davis (‘18) clears a hurdle during the 110 hurdles at the Lewiston Invitational on March 24, 2018. Now a freshman on the Community Colleges of Spokane’s track and field team, Davis recently placed 10th in the decathalon at the Sam Adams Invite, held at Whitworth on March 21. He also ran indoor this winter.
Sandpoint track and field athletes might be at a stand-still due to spring break this week, but several alumni have blazed through their ways through their first collegiate track seasons.
Here is a brief rundown on how a trio of Sandpoint track and field alumni are performing in college so far.
Hannah Davidson, Utah State
The Bulldogs’ 800 meter record-holder picked up right where she left off in high school.
Now a freshman at Division 1 Utah State University, Davidson ran a team-best 2:17.94 at the Utah Valley University Invitational on March 29. Her 4:49.93 in the 1500 is third-fastest on the team — and the two girls ahead of her are seniors.
Chances are, she’ll lower that PR even more by the time the season is over.
Davidson not only set a new personal best in the first month of the season, but also at elevation; Orem, Utah is at 4,756 feet, and the Aggies will run at larger meets at lower elevation Arizona and California later this month.
She will run the 1500 tomorrow at the Sun Angel Classic at Arizona State University.
T.J. Davis, Community Colleges of Spokane
With three district titles to his name, T.J. Davis had the 110 hurdles locked down in high school. Despite also having success in the 300 hurdles and the jumps, something about the 110 just clicked for Davis.
In college, he gets to do his signature event, plus nine other events in the decathlon.
For those unfamiliar with the decathlon’s workload, buckle up. On any given meet, Davis has to run the 100, 400, 1500, 110 hurdles; throw the shot, disc and javelin; then do the pole vault, high jump and long jump.
Naturally, the 110 hurdles and the sprints are where Davis gets the bulk of his points in the decathlon. During his most recent, 5033-point outing at the Sam Adams Invite (no, it’s not sponsored by the beer), Davis won the 110 in a 15.48, placed second in the 100 (11.52) and third in the 400 (52.07) en route to a 10th place finish.
Davis also ran the 60-meter hurdles (8.71) and the 200 meters (25:08) in indoor season.
Garrett Pierce, College of the Ozarks
Former Sandpoint distance runner Garrett Pierce set a new personal best in the 5K by running a 16:16 at the Ted Lloyd Invitational at Harding University on March 23.
Although his follow-up at the Baker University relays was slightly slower (16:49.08), the freshman has three more opportunities to get closer to the 16-minute barrier this season.
In order to make NCCAA Nationals, Pierce would have to run a 15:40 or faster.
Pierce’s next race is this Saturday at Central Methodist University.