NCRunners Holiday Invitational Results l NCRunners Holiday Invitational Interviews
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We had a feeling Kayla Davis would be a star at the high school level. She came into high school under the current outdoor 400 meter state record with her PR of 52.54 from the seventh grade.
Davis, now a freshman, was finally set to open up her high school indoor season on Saturday against strong competition in the 300m and 500m -- Kyna Robinson (Southeast Raleigh) and Jonah Ross (Garner), who are elite sprinters on the national levels themselves. Davis has run indoor track for many years at the age group level, but never a 300m or the 500m and we weren't sure what to expect.
Her first race would be a battle with Robinson, who set the North Carolina State Record in the 500m as a junior, clocking 1:12.33, also good for US No. 9 All-Time.
Davis took out the pace very aggressively and was leading Robinson at the break. Davis looked to be in trouble, as the distance between her and Robinson grew. She crossed the line in 1:12.70, ahead of Robinson's 1:16.44. Davis debuted is a new US No. 1 mark and current NC No. 3 All-Time indoor performance. Only four girls have run faster than Davis all-time.
Davis doubled back against Ross in the 300m and the story was the same. Davis went out hard and the field wasn't able to hang. She clocked yet another US No. 1 mark of 38.03 ahead of Ross' 39.60. Davis effort at the distance is NC No. 2 all-time behind Tamara Clark's 37.81 back in 2016. It's also the second fastest 300m time ever on a flat indoor track behind Clark.
The fastest time in the nation at the distance last year was 38.38. Davis already is well ahead of that.
Davis' next big event will be at the VA Showcase on January 19-20 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She'll race against the top athletes in the country and likely will go after state records. She'll be in the 200m and 400m.
