Photo by Don Rich
We have been spending the last month or so counting down the top 20 moments of the 2015-2016 year in Pennsylvania track and field and cross country. After breaking down an epic and historic state meet by Beaver Falls' Domenic Perretta, let's take a look at a freshman sprinter that made a huge impression at the state meet.
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Photo by Ethan Rissell
If you've been to the state meet, surely you've picked up a meet program at some point. And if you've been to the state meet since 2002, you've seen one name listed in the program as the record holder in the AA 100 and 200 meters. The name? Lauryn Williams, an Olympian.
Williams met her match at this year's PIAA Track and Field State Championships. It also happened to be a freshman.
Girard College's Thelma Davies took down one of Williams' meet records and tied another in a dominating performance that earns the #6 spot on our "Moments of the Year" countdown.
Davies was the only girl from Girard College to post a performance of any kind in 2016. After an indoor state championship in the 60 meters, followed by a national freshman class record in the event at nationals, Davies had a relatively low-key outdoor season before the postseason. At the District 1 Championships, she flew to wins in the 100 and 200. She was ready for something special at states (watch her 200 meter win at District 1 below).
Davies soared through the prelims in both events. Some big time returners from 2015 were back, including Burrell's Nicole Scherer, the defending state champ in the 100 meters, but Davies was still the heavy favorite.
Davies crushed the 100 meters, winning by over a half second and posting a blazing 11.58, shattering Williams' meet record of 11.78 from 2001. Step one completed. The 200 final was all Davies. She clocked in at 23.85, tying Williams' meet record in the event. Step two completed.
It was a performance for ages for a sprinter from any class, but Davies is just a ninth grader. We saw that brilliance on display at NBNI (national class records don't just go to anybody), but Davies double win at outdoor states just solidified her excellence.
Davies is one in an elite class of sprinters that will return next season for more. We'll be sure to follow Davies closely along with Kouri Peace, Jayana Webb, Chanel Brissett, Hunter and Hayden Robinson, Nicole Scherer, and more.
Let's see if Davies can take Williams' name off the program next year.
Watch Davies states interview below:
