*This article was printed by the Jacksonville Daily New
Vikes' Hart, Cards' Davis trade wins on course
BY JOSHUA BALL DAILY NEWS STAFF
Who knew that a brief meeting at a summer camp would evolve into running rivalry?
Sarah Hart and Kaitlyn Davis did. The two have traded shots this season for their respective schools, and this friendly competition has a lot of legs before it runs its course.
Hart, White Oak's sophomore sensation, already holds the cross country school record with a 19 minute, 10-second effort finish to win the Mideastern 3-A/4-A Conference title last week in Wilmington, obliterating a 19:46 finish she posted in the regional last year.
"It's incredible to shed 36 seconds of your personal-best time in a span of a year," White Oak head coach Chris Mueller said. "That is simply amazing."
The 15-year-old takes success in stride. She likes to win and loves the competition with Davis, Jacksonville's freshman phenom.
"She (Kaitlyn) brings the best out of me, and I am sure I bring the best out of her," Hart added. "The rivalry doesn't get old. It's always good to run against someone that pushes you."
The two have met eight times this season and have split with four wins apiece.
"I think she (Sarah) pushes me to my potential," Davis said. " I'm excited that she helps me do that."
The 14-year-old started running with the mile club in fourth and fifth grades before running track in middle school. Her quick adjustment to high school competition came as a bit of a surprise.
"I was putting a lot of pressure on myself earlier in the season," Davis said. "I read a quote online that said, 'If you think about losing, you have already lost.' "
Her second-place finish in the Mideastern 3-A/4-A Conference was a result of stress and pressure, and that's something she has left behind as her and her teammates prepare for the NCHSAA 3-A Regional at Nash Central in Rocky Mount on Saturday.
"I was having some neck pains before the race," Davis explained. "I was a bit nervous, but all of that is behind me and I know what to expect."
Davis' success is already drawing comparisons to former Jacksonville High School greats Chris Belifore and Tsehaye Dagnachew.
Dagnachew, a senior at UNCCharlotte, posted an undefeated regular season as a freshman at JHS before coming in second in the Class 4-A Regional and qualifying for the state meet.
The Cardinals were then a Class 4-A school and a friendly rivalry started to evolve between Dagnachew and Eastern Wayne's Jessica Collins.
"I can see the similarities between the two," Jacksonville head coach Tim Hood, who is in his 13th season, said.
Both Jacksonville and White Oak flexed their muscles in the conference meet last week, landing a combined 10 runners in the top 14.
"Each of us had five runners apiece in the top 14 of a 3-A/4-A split conference," Hood added. "That is typically unheard of in this sport."
Hart is best described as a quiet leader by Mueller; a player who would rather lead by actions than to be outspoken.
"She's a quiet leader," Mueller added. "She leads by example and is as much a brilliant student as she is an athlete."
In the conference championship race, Hart showed her perseverance by finishing the final 700 meters of the race with one shoe.
"I was running, and I noticed that my shoes were untied," she explained. "As I continued, the shoes started rubbing my heels. It was very uncomfortable, and I decided to try and kick the shoes off."
Only one fell off, but Hart continued to run.
"I had a personal-best time with one shoe," she added. "That was funny."
Both runners anticipate seeing each other again for years to come. And that's just fine with each of them.
"I anticipate seeing both of us at state this year," Davis said. "I think both of our teams will be there. As for me and Sarah, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other down the road."
Hart envisions seeing the two running towards the finish line at the state competition — perhaps in two weeks.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see us running towards a state title, literally," she added. "I can see that happening soon, maybe in two weeks."
Both coaches agree, too.
"Both of our teams have competed very well this season," Mueller said. "The rivalry is good, and it's even better for the sport."
Jacksonville junior Erin Putnam describes the rivalry as "healthy" between the two schools.
"Their rivalry has been encouraging," she said. "They have set the example for all of us."
In the meantime, Hart and Davis will continue to run for years to come, flirting with history and greatness along the way.