Track Star Karimah Davis Has Her Eyes On The Olympics

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-room-only 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 move to Tallahassee. “He’s trying to move in that area so he can be involved in my future career,” Davis said.

So, what started as a hobby has turned into a quest. Davis’ personal records include the 55-meter (7.08 seconds), 60-meter (7.77 seconds), 100-meter (11.49 seconds) and the long jump (5.33 meters). With the Olympics always in the back of her mind, Davis practices three to four hours a day at Palm Beach Central, taking a break only on Wednesday.

That makes it difficult to hang out with friends.

“Many of my friends have different personalities, different aspirations and are on different routes,” she explained. “It makes it hard to mesh with them.”

Davis’ true support system is at home. “My parents are very supportive,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t be as far as I am without my parents putting me there. They keep my mind in the right place. They invest the time and the money.”

After her state win, Palm Beach Central celebrated by posting her accomplishment on its Twitter page. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission went further, inducting Davis into its Hall of Fame.

As hobbies go, track and field turned out to be a good choice for Karimah Davis.

“It’s turning out really well for me,” she said simply.

Then Davis was off… and running.