Senior track athlete Jessica Davis has led the USC track and field team to multiple titles, including wins at the Cherry and Silver Indoor Invitational, the Florida Relays and MPSF Indoor Track & Field Championships, to name a few. Davis has also set personal records in the women’s 60m dash and has a top qualifying time of 7.31 seconds. 

Davis also excels in the team setting. In her 4x200m relay event at the Florida Relays, USC was able to break the school record for the event. The team of Davis, junior Akawkaw Ndipagbor, sophomore Alexis Faulknor and sophomore Tynia Gaither won the 4x200m event with a blazing time of 1:30.99. The team’s historic time was the fastest recorded by a college team this season, and only four schools have ever recorded faster times.

To go along with their success in the 4x200m race, Davis, Faulknor and Davis all competed in the 4x100m race as well. In this event, the three girls teamed up with Loudia Laarman to place third among college teams, with a season-best time of 43.90 seconds.

When asked what one word describes Davis best, teammates Alexis Faulknor and Allen Williams both chose “competitor.” 

“We compete in practice, we compete in meets as well, [and] she always pushes me,” continued Faulknor, who runs the 100 and 200 meters with Davis. As a senior, Davis also sets an example with her positivity.

“Even when she doesn’t want to do stuff,” Faulknor said, “she’ll get out on the track and do it.”

That competitive edge and constant drive Davis has is a strength that Faulknor believes will take her to the top. “I can see her going pro, like championships and the Olympics," her teammates said.

Williams echoed that thought: “I think you can look at the culmination of Jessica’s four years and see that she’s done something really miraculous and special.” 

“As a freshman she was an All-American in the 100 [meters],” continued Williams, “but if you look at what she’s just done this year, being an MPSF Indoor Champion in the 60 and the 200 in the same year, and also qualifiying for nationals in both events, that momentum tells you a lot about her work ethic.” 

After talking to her teammates, we sat down with Jessica about her life as an athlete. 

Q. Congratulations on being named Pac-12 Athlete of the Week, among many other awards and accolades. What does that type of recognition do for you?

A. I actually feel good, but it’s not enough. I'm obviously excited about getting player of the week, but I just want more. I’m putting in a lot of work here my senior year, and I’m expecting more.

Q. Where does your ability to push yourself and always work for more come from?

A. I’m always pumped, that’s just how I was raised. I’m always telling myself: “J.D turn up!” I motivate myself the most. I pull myself up, but also a lot of it comes from family. I know they’re always supporting me, and a lot of this is for them. When I see them in the stands with posters saying “Go Jessica,” I feel like "oh my god they’re watching me", and I know I have to run the race for them.

Q. So mentally, you’re always in that competitive zone. How do you get there physically?

A. I think it has to do with things I do outside of practice. Eating right, getting rest at night time, doing extra abs, weight room and training. It all transfers. What I do off the track affects me on the track. With the weight room, I’d say I probably dedicate about 3-4 hours a day to track. Also, this year, I’m making sure  I’m doing the stuff I need to do to get where I need to. 

Q. You’ve had some trouble with your hamstring in the past. How have you been working on your injury prevention this year?

A. Yeah, I had a setback sophomore and junior year injuring my hamstring, so now that I’m back, I’m really healthy this year. I’ve been talking to the trainers, hydrating, eating right. Stretches are also really important, so I make sure to stretch fully.

 Q. How do you try to set an example for the rest of your team?

A. Honestly, sometimes I’m positive, and sometimes I’m not. It depends on what the warmups are. My coaches will always tell me “J.D. you gotta be positive," so I try. Staying positive, being that I’m a senior. I just try to do everything the coaches ask me to do, be on time, run fast, and make my times. 

Q. How have your starts been coming along?

A. I hate the starts. They’re getting better, but there’s always room for improvement. I know they’re my weak points, but of course I’m always competing, so in practice every time I’m in the box I tell myself “C’mon Jess, this is the Pac-12 Championship race,” or something. Every day I start practicing with my starts so I can get better at them. 

Q. What’s your favorite event?

A. Probably the 200. Sometimes I think the 100 is too short, and I’m so long, that by the time I come from my drive face, that it’s over. But the 200, by the time I come up, I feel like I’m getting it. 

Q. Do you have any rituals you do before a big meet, either with your team or individually?

A. We have a ritual, all the females, before we get in the box. Music is also a big part of getting me ready. But honestly, sometimes I sneak in a “nay nay” somewhere where everybody’s not looking at me. I’ll go in the corner by myself and do it a little, and it gets me ready. Sometimes I do it, but sometimes I keep to myself, it depends on how I feel.

Q. What goes through your mind during a race? Do you have any type of mantra?

A. I’m always thinking to move, pick up speed, pick up speed. I’m always thinking of my mantra: “Turn up Jess.”

Reach Staff Writer Durga Ghosh here. 

A Day In The Life of Jessica Davis