TCA's Kevin Davis named 2018 All-West Tennessee boys track athlete of the year
Kevin Davis looked up 20 to 30 meters into the race.
He got off to a fast start during the 100-meter dash at the TSSAA state track and field championships in the Small School division.
After he looked up and saw where he was with his competitors, one thing went through his mind.
"Just focusing I guess (on) straight power and strength through my legs since I'm smaller than everyone else," Davis said. "That's pretty much my main focus coming out. After that, it's kind of a blur. I can't hear anything that's going on. I just run."
Seconds later, the Trinity Christian Academy sprinter crossed the finish line as a state champion with a time of 10.65 seconds. Davis also finished runner-up in the 200-meter dash in 21.53 seconds.
Davis, a sophomore, is the boys All-West Tennessee track and field athlete of the year. Davis said he stands between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-9.
He might not have the same stride length other sprinters have. Or he might not generate the same leg power because he weighs 145 pounds.
"Since I have a name for myself people know who I am so it's not as bad," he said.
While he did win the 100-meter dash, the second-place finish in the 200 is what eats at him. He wanted to win both.
Davis will have two more years to accomplish the feat.
"It makes me realize that my job is not done," Davis said. "I'm kind of glad I lost that 200 because it made me feel like I have more to prove."
Running events
Kevin Davis
TCA, So.
Why chosen: Davis was a state champion in the Small School classification in the 100-meter dash and finished runner-up in the 200-meter dash.
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Paxton Davis
Dresden, Jr.
Why chosen: Davis finished in eighth place at state in the Small School classification in the 3200-meter run with a time of 4:56.04.
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Jake Harrison
TCA, So.
Why chosen: Harrison finished in 14th place at state in the Small School classification in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 47.14.
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Daijon Jones
Madison Academic, Jr.
Why chosen: Jones finished in seventh place at state in the Small School classification in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:06.64.
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Noah Stewart
Madison Academic, Sr.
Why chosen: Stewart finished in 12th place at state in the Small School classification in the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.67.
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Zack Williams
Huntingdon, So.
Why chosen: Williams finished in ninth place at state in the Small School classification in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:56.04.
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Malik Wood
Haywood, So.
Why chosen: Wood finished seventh in the prelims at sectionals in the Large School classification in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.39.
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Field events
Javian Bray
South Side, Sr.
Why chosen: Bray competed in the Large School classification and finished seventh in the discus at 141-6 and ninth in the shot put at 46-1.75.
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Hunter Privett
TCA, Sr.
Why chosen: Privett finished first at sectionals in the Small School classification in the high jump at 5-10.
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Dejuan Raglin
Huntingdon, Jr.
Why chosen: Raglin finished first at sectionals in the Small School classification in the long jump at 16-7.
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Tristan Taylor
Haywood, Jr.
Why chosen: Taylor finished 13th at sectionals in the Large School classification in the triple jump at 40-5.
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Relay teams
Trinity Christian Academy
Why chosen: Finished in 10th place at state in the Small School classification in the 4x100 with a time of 45.14.
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Madison Academic
Why chosen: Competed in the Small School classification and finished in 12th place at state in the 4x200 with a time of 1:35.53 and 10th place at state in the 4x800 with a time of 8:59.44.
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Haywood
Why chosen: Finished in 13th place at sectionals in the Large School classification in the 4x400 with a time of 3:39.76.
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Coach of the year
Frank Clampitt
TCA
Why chosen: Clampitt saw Kevin Davis win a state title in the 100-meter dash and finish runner-up in the 200-meter dash. Clampitt had two other athletes at state in the Small School classification and the 4x100 relay team.
Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9638 and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.