SE Raleigh's Dannielle Davis has run 8.24 indoors in the 55m hurdles. Her time is ranked among the top 10 in the United States. Dannielle has been a top hurdler in North Carolina for the last 2 years. She's been one of the better athletes, finishing 3rd at last year's 4A Indoor State Meet. However, this year Dannielle has improved to the point where she is one of the best in the nation.
(Photos: Courtesy of Brandon Miles from the Boo Williams Invite)
You may recognize her last name, as she does have a pretty speedy brother. Wayne Davis III who is now at Texas A&M set multiple national records. But now it's Dannielle wearing the SE Raleigh uniform, and Dannielle is now the family member ranked among the nation's top hurdlers, and she is now the one aiming for a state title. Dannielle Davis has made a name for herself through her own hard work. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of an incredible next year and a half for this junior.
I was able to interview here after her 8.24 and win at the Boo Williams Invitational. Here is what Dannielle had to say.
1) Dannielle, the start of your season seems to have gotten off to a great start. What were you up to in the fall to get ready for indoor track?
Immediately after completing my summer season I joined the varsity volleyball team because I wanted to utilize my off season by playing another sport instead of doing nothing after school. Mid-way through volleyball season I sprained my ankle in a game, and couldn’t walk for three days. During those three days of torture I came to realize my true goals and priorities in my athletic life. Due to lack of mobility I thought to myself that I would be way off track for the coming up indoor season. If I had listened to my parents who advised me not to play volleyball this year but focus on training for the upcoming indoor track season, I would have been in better shape. Certainly, being in better track shape would allow me to run faster times. However, if I didn’t play volleyball and sprain my precious ankle I never would have come to this conclusion. After pulling me off the volleyball team, my parents didn’t hesitate to get me medical treatment or my ankle. I needed to recover as quickly as possible. I attended copious orthopedic and physical therapy appointments to treat my sprained ankle. It was discovered that I had a grade three high ankle sprain. My ankle began to slowly decrease in swelling and pain. Due to the injured ankle (still slightly swollen) my training was limited earlier in the off season and at the start of the season. As a result of all the ankle drama, I pushed myself to train harder than I normally would to reach the same goals I set for myself when my ankle was healthy. I could barely move around and couldn’t go to the weight room, so I focused on my weaknesses, core, hamstrings, shoulders, and arm strength using dumbbells and ankle weights. Over the years, these are areas I have been told needed work. In the past I did not invest the time to work on them. I was injured both freshman and sophomore years because of these weak areas. In order to run to the best of my ability I have decided to focus on improving these weaknesses that held me back over the last school years.
2) Right now you are leading the state in the 200m and the 55m hurdles with times of 26.19 and 8.24 and are 6th in the 300m. Last year you finished 3rd in the 55m hurdles & 5th in the long jump. So with your quick start to the season, what are your goals for the state meet?
The indoor state meet in 2009 was a very disappointing meet for me. In my freshman year I was also third at the state meet and I felt there was no improvement between my freshman and sophomore years. In addition, I lacked the strength and endurance needed in 2009, but, this year is going to be different. I’m not quite sure if I will compete in the long jump this indoor season due to my ankle injury, but I most definitely will compete in that event for the outdoor season. Currently there is still little pain and swelling in my ankle, but it will not hold me back. My brother’s ankle injury did not stop him from breaking national and world records, likewise, my injury will not hinder me form achieving my goals this 2010 season. My goals for the 2010 indoor state meet are to win the 55m hurdles in under 8 seconds and to place in the top 8 in the 300 at a low 40 second mark.
3) Being #1 among NC athletes in the 55m hurdles is a pretty prestigious place to be. Typically North Carolina has some of the nation's finest hurdlers. How does it feel to be #1 right now?
To be #1 in the state has been my goal since my freshman year. It is also my goal to be #1 in the country. Being ranked first is not my only mind set because in a race anybody can win no matter there rank. I need to maintain that ranking by working hard to improve my hurdling techniques, form, and speed. Running hurdles is not a typical event where you just run as fast as can. You have to consider your hurdling form and technique. This event requires prominent technique, adequate speed, and a constant aggressive attitude in between each of the hurdles and through the finish line. Currently being #1 in the state means nothing if I don’t put forth the effort to stay in that position throughout the season and make the ranks of the top 10 marks in the nation.
4) What would it mean to join this list of recent NC hurdlers? Latoya James (8.06), Sherice Walker (8.07), & Ashley Bethune (8.08).
It will mean a lot me to be amongst the top female hurdlers of NC. I feel that I must carry on the fine hurdling tradition of this state. I feel obligated to leave a path for younger NC female High school hurdlers to follow just as my previous hurdlers did for me.
5) Right now you've run 8.24, which is a .16 improvement from last season already. How fast are you hoping to run this season?
Although this is only my junior year I am going for the 4A indoor state record, 7.92, which is held by Gabby Mayo. I know it’s a big goal to cut my time by .32 seconds, but I think I can do it if I tweak certain parts of my race. Even if I don’t break the record I will have my senior year to do so. Like they say, “Aim for the moon and if you miss maybe you will catch a star.”
6) Your 8.24 puts you in a tie for 7th in the nation. That is an incredible improvement from last year. What are your goals at the national level for this indoor season?
Nationally, I want to stay among the top 3. With continued hard work, I hope to compete and place really well at Nike Indoor Nationals.
7) What do you feel has improved the most for you in the past year? Speed? Technique? Other?
In this early season combinations of my mental game, endurance, strength, hurdle technique, and dedication has resulted in the improvement. I am investing the extra effort that is needed to be a well developed athlete. The dedication and strength has definitely shown in the decrease of 1.83 seconds in my 300m indoor time as compared from last year to this year. Running well in the 300 will prepare me for the 200 outdoors.
