Tamari Davis Returning To Defend NBNI 200 Title

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Indoor track and field doesn't have an official season Florida, but that doesn’t keep the Sunshine State from claiming some of the fastest entries at this weekend’s New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York. And nobody can claim to be faster in the girls sprints than sophomore Tamari Davis. 

As a freshman, Davis won both the 60 meters and 200 meters at indoor nationals at The Armory. Her 60 time of 7.25 seconds in the finals was a freshman class record and new meet record. Her 200 semifinal of 23.25 was also a freshman class record and just 0.02 seconds shy of a meet record.

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Now, the defending champion isn’t afraid to admit there is a little more pressure on her this weekend. 

“Coach always tells me it’s easier to become number one than it is staying at number one,” she said. “Someone new is always going to come out the woodwork, and those other girls that were in the finals last year are going to get stronger and better each year.” 

If her other indoor contests this winter are any indication, Davis could be ready to run even faster than 2018. At the University of South Carolina Open Indoor meet, Davis ran a US#1 time of 7.27 against a field of collegiate and professional athletes, just shy of her personal best. She followed that up with a time of 23.41 in the 200. 

“We aren’t doing too much focusing on speed,” she explained. “We are working on more technique now. I feel strong, but not as fast yet.”

Davis and coach Gary Evans know their focus will be on the summer months, which include the FHSAA State Finals, , NBNO, Prefontaine Classic, possible European meets and the USATF Outdoor Championships in late July. Evans is keeping the exact training plan close to the vest, but notes that they are in phase two of three in the circuit. 

“We are focusing now on speed endurance,” he said. “Speed-endurance is the ability to prolong the amount of time where a near maximal speed can be maintained. We are trying to hold speed a little more than normal. So an example of a workout we will do is declining 200s (27-25-23).”

What can fans expect to see at NBNI from Davis, who will focus solely on defending her 200 title?

“I feel like a better Tamari on and off the track,” she said. “Although I have a time in mind, my coach says to just run, execute your race, and the time will come.” 

Evans echoed that sentiment.

“I always remind her it’s just a race. In track and field you are going to win some and lose some,” he said. “Just compete. That is all I can ask for.”

Life After NBNI 

When Davis returns back home to Florida, the sophomore will jump right into the outdoor season. Her school colors will look a little different, as well, after transferring from 3A Gainesville High to 1A power Oak Hall.  

“It’s different coming from a public school to a private school,” she described. “The academics are much harder. More homework, pop quizzes and tests. Coach suggested the move because he feels if I go to college he wants me to have a solid academic background.” 

The change in classifications means there will not be another rematch between Davis and IAAF World U-20 Championships double gold medalist Briana Williams. Williams defeated Davis in the 100, but Davis came back to take gold in the 200 state final. It was an epic battle between two of the brightest young stars in the track and field world, but Davis sees any opponents on the track as competition. 

“Whenever you step on the line you have competition,” she said. “The 100, 200 and 400 1A champions all return. I’m the new kid on the block and I have to respect them. Coach always reminds me regardless of my times they are the 1A champions in those events until I can beat them.”

For a phenom like Davis, who has been running age-group records since she was little, the key to longevity is keeping the sport fun.  

“He reminds me I’m not responsible for paying the house note and other bills for my family, so to just enjoy it and that there is no rush to start focusing on the professional level,” Davis said. “We have three colleges in mind and my parents and I trust coach with that decision. Coach even has a shoe company in mind if I do get blessed to turn professional.” 

Davis has had a slight taste of that professional lifestyle as well. Evans also trains Omar McCleod and Justin Gatlin, and the youngster gets to train with those Olympic champions on holidays, which includes block starts with Gatlin. 

“I tell her it’s great to know them, but to build your own legacy,” Evans noted. “She can do a few things at her age better than some of the college and professional athletes.” 

For the pair, the countless training hours are all part of the larger picture. 

“Yes, I would like to represent my country one day,” she said. “That would be a honor. I’ve never put on a USA uniform yet, and watching some of the other athletes that I know who ran in their national uniforms was a rush for me to push for that.”