Her heart pounds in her chest, with a steady breath in her lungs and the rush of adrenaline running through her veins. Kinley Davis has proven to be a gifted runner for the Sandies.
Davis began running in the seventh grade. Since then, she has won numerous medals on her own and with the girls’ cross-country team. Davis initially faced many challenges when it came to her running, but since then she has put extra effort into her sport outside of school in order to stay ahead in her team. As a result she put in extra effort outside of school in order to strive ahead of her team.
“I just love running,” Davis said. “It keeps me in shape, and it scientifically makes me happier.”
Davis has had so many successes for a reason, her exemplary character and drive set her apart. Coaches and teammates even describe her as hard working, a good role model and a team player. Davis accredits these traits as the number one reason why she made it to state for cross country.
“She is outstanding, high motor, always gives it her all,” Jonathan Woodward, head coach of the girl’s cross country team, said. “I don’t think there’s a day she has ever left a workout or a meet where I don’t think she gave us or our team her very best.”
On October 22nd, Davis competed with the Lady Sandie Cross Country Team at regionals. Davis placed 12th overall, qualifying her for state. This unexpected accomplishment shocked Davis since she had previously experienced doubts about her abilities against her competition.
“It was very difficult and usually I feel so out of it for most of my races,” Davis said. “Oddly enough I felt so immersed in that one race. I’m very proud of how I competed in that one race, and I can’t wait to do better next year!”
After a little over a week of training and preparation, Davis started the treacherous journey of traveling to Round Rock, Texas in order to compete with many other runners at Texas UIL State Cross Country Meet.
“I showed up to every work out and run that I could,” Davis said. “I guess that’s what made me do good this season.”
In the end, she placed 88th out of 148 runners. This placement cemented Davis’s place as one of Texas’s best runners and puts her on par with the older team members she looks up to.
“I was a little discouraged because I thought I would do better but once I put it into perspective I realized I did pretty good for my sophomore year,” Davis said. “I still have two more years to get better.”
Davis has learned to expect the unexpected. Difficult workouts and mental blocks forced Davis to grow from the beginning of her freshman season to the incredible end to her sophomore year. Davis credits her achievements to the people who motivate her to do better.
“I strive to run more on my own with my brother,” Davis said. “My goal next year is to place around 60th place.”
