Friday night lights, crowd screaming, whistle blowing, and coaches yelling—out comes state qualifier junior, Shania Davison. She is known for her huge recognition this year with flag football, along with qualifying for state for the 300-meter hurdles in track and field last year.
“She is one of the only girls who played offense and defense for flag football, and she was one of the quiet leaders on the team who people looked up to,” Alex Smith, flag football coach, said.
The impact she has on many student-athletes, along with her teammates, has not gone unnoticed. She is a big inspiration to athletes and people who look up to her for her resilience and optimistic attitude toward her sports and teammates. As much as she is there for her teammates, however, they are there for her too.
“My teammates motivated me to do my best every time,” Davison said.
Davison played tackle football on the boys team before the girls flag football team began, which came with some adjustments that she had to get used to.
“A challenge was getting used to flag football, especially after tackle football, because flag football has a lot more rules and stipulations you have to follow,” Davison said.
Her optimistic attitude and resilience have stood out to a lot of Davison’s coaches, who have nothing but positive things to say about her, especially since she has been an outstanding athlete in all her sports.
“She’s awesome, especially when you have a hardworking athlete and her ability to keep going and not let anything hold her back,” Kyle Draghi, track coach, said. “Her hard work toward the sport doesn’t take me by surprise.”
“Great person to work with, naturally athletic, never any grade concerns, and has a competitive spirit without taking away from any of her teammates,” Smith said.
Smith recalls one stand-out moment when Davison showed her sportsmanship in a game.
“She won regionals and had a quarterback sneak, and she was behind a teammate who was making the touchdown and waited for the ref to call it. Afterwards, she went to celebrate with the team, but she knew it was important not to over-celebrate and to be respectful toward the team that did not win,” Smith said.
Her other coach for flag football, Jennafer Malak said that Davison really stood out in a lot of ways due to “her athleticism” and her experience.
“When she ran an 80 yard and got a touchdown all in the same game it was a joy and happiness from her,” Malak said.
Davison has overcome setbacks, such as an injury during her sophomore year, as well as a recent injury curtailing her wrestling season, which has set an example for some of her teammates.
“As a person who really looked up to Shania, my advice would be to take your time off for injuries and rest and come back stronger than before,” Olivia Pittman, sophomore, said.
Her coaches and teammates on the track team are certainly hoping she does just that.
