Track Star Karimah Davis Has Her Eyes On The Olympics By Deborah Welky
Watching the Olympics is always inspirational, especially when a hometown athlete is involved. That’s why we’re keeping an eye on local track star Karimah (pronounced KaREEmah) Davis. The recent Palm Beach Central High School graduate is the state champion in the 400-meter dash (52.91 seconds), and she came in a close second for the 200-meter dash (23.28 seconds). Over Memorial Day weekend, Davis, together with the other top 200-meter runners in the world, traveled to historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, just outside Portland, to compete in the Prefontaine Classic, courtesy of title sponsor Nike. “Nike pays for our flights,” Davis said. “They give us clothes and backpacks and shoes. They treat us like royalty!” The Prefontaine Classic is the premier track and field meet in the United States, and the only stop in North America on the prestigious World Athletics Tour. It was established by distance runner Steve Prefontaine, who died in 1975 at age 24 and was the subject of two major motion pictures. To be eligible to compete in this elite track and field showcase, athletes must be ranked in the top 50 in the world in their event. Televised on NBC, the Prefontaine Classic is where many Olympic track and field stars first establish themselves in the national consciousness and, perhaps because of this, attendance has grown. The Prefontaine Classic has attracted standing-roomonly crowds for the last 10 years. While there, Davis had the opportunity to meet Olympic track and field legends, perhaps picking up some pointers. Then, it was back home for summer track, and on to Florida State University this month — on a full scholarship. So how did all this start? For Davis, it started late. Although the majority of runners start to get serious about the sport around the age of 8, Davis began running less than four years ago as a hobby. “It was just going to be something I could play around with,” she recalled. But coaches quickly took notice. “I feel that’s why a lot of people are interested in me,” Davis said. “I stepped into the field at an older age, and it’s going really good for me — better than it normally should.” Davis was running for Emerald Cove Middle School, just about to enter high school, when seasoned coach Derek Walker came up to her at a meet. “As I was running, he came up to me and said, ‘I can turn you into a state champion.’ Now he’s my club coach,” Davis said. Walker is so convinced of her potential that he is willing to
Palm Beach Central High School graduate Karimah Davis has racked up a number of impressive wins during her track career.
wellington the magazine | august 2017
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