Tara Davis after the 2016 Texas Relays.
When we said the Dunamis Sports Group Track Classic was bringing in talent from across the country we meant it! Tara Davis is just one of the athletes who's coming all the way from California to compete this weekend. Davis is one of the best jumpers/hurdlers in the country. At the beginning of January Davis ran a high school U.S. #1 mark of 8.31 in the 60mH. That race was aginst a mostly collegiate field at the UW Indoor Preview. At that same meet, she jumped 19'11.75" for U.S. #5 in the long jump and 40'1.5" for U.S. #9 in the triple jump. Read below her answers to some of our pre-meet questions.
What are you most excited for about making the trip to Texas and why?
I'm most excited about the experience I'm going to have. Coming to the first indoor meet is pretty memorable. Also my friends and family are coming out to support me, so that should be a cool sight to see.
What do you think about facing Jasmine Moore in the triple and long jump? What was it like last year at Texas Relays?
I'm excited to compete against her. She is such a good competitor! I just know I can't be laid back and treat it like a chill meet. she's gonna make me jump, and I'm so ready for it! At texas relays she jumped really well, I wasn't really thinking about my competition out there, I was thinking of just having fun.
What inspired the fly new long jump kicks?
I wanted something different, and my favorite color is pink.
How did it feel kicking your indoor season off with a U.S. #1 mark of 8.31 in the 60mH? What was it like racing against college athletes?
I feel as if I have so much more in me, that race had a lot of technical errors. so running that low of a time really showed me how much stronger I've gotten since the year before. It's also put me in a good mindset, from having bad practices the week before and to come out and have run that low of a time just boosted my confidence. It didn't really feel different just because I knew most of my competitors. But it did show what I would have to be against for the future.
What are your plans for the rest of indoor?
After this meet, I will be competing at Simplot and the USATF indoor in New Mexico.
What are you looking forward to about the California high school outdoor season? Have you already been competing outdoors?
I'm just looking to have fun and to go out with a bang for my last year. I have competed outside, but it was all indoor type of distances. since California doesn't need an indoor track.
What are your pre and post race rituals? What to you focus on when you toe the line or take the runway for a big jump?
My pre-race rituals I listen to EDM, to get me in a pumped mood, I do a full warm up and my dad and I have our alone time and talk about what I'm going to execute, we also do this stretching routine. before any event, I eat half a snickers bar!! For post race, I usually warm down and ask my parents for the videos, to see how I did. and what I need to fix for the next meet. l usually focus on what I am here to do, I think to myself on what I want to execute.
Do you participate in any other sports? If so which ones? Do you think it helps with being a better jumper and hurdler?
I used to be a cheerleader and I think cheer has definitely had a big role on my life right now. Before I did cheer I was scared to talk in front of a lot of people, and I was afraid of coming out of my comfort zone. so yes it had helped me become a better jumper.
Fun Questions:
Have you ever had Whataburger? If so what did you think?
OH MY GOSH! Whataburger! I love Whataburger! way better than In N' Out!
Who's your favorite pro athlete and why?
Brittney Reese, just because she has the demeanor to accomplish her goals, and she is just so aggressive. and I love it.
Best/coolest part of competing in the Olympic Trials last year?
Competing against athletes that you have looked up to since you've started track.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs, cats scare me! when I was in 5th grade I used to walk to school every day and I made friends with a cat and everyday I would pet it and play with him. then one day it decided to attack my face once I bent down to pet him, ever since then I can't trust cats.
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
Probably to be invisible, just cause I would be able to steal whatever food I want, and I could hide out of hard practices.
