Jovan Davis: Minor Setbacks Lead To Major Comeback

Jovan Davis was one of the top hurdlers in the state and ranked nationally coming out of Wekiva High School in 2011. Davis had offers from a who's who of college track and field programs. The whirlwind recruiting tour sent him on multiple visits from weekend to weekend and wore him out because he knew the time to make a decision was running out, but academics stood in the way.

"I had a dressed full of scholarships actually. I chose to go to South Plains College because of my test scores. I always say minor setback for a major come back and as you can see now that is exactly what I am doing."

Davis took the situation for what it was and made the most of it. South Plains is a small junior college in Levelland, Texas with a rich history of track and field. Despite battling an inflammatory infection between his left ribs was named an NJCAA All-American and helped South Plains pick up their six consecutive NJCAA National Championship. He is looking forward to his final indoor and outdoor seasons with the Texans and is currently the top returning 400 hurdler in the NJCAA coming into 2013. He says through God anything and everything is possible.

"I've learned that no matter where life takes you there is ALWAYS a better chance at you becoming someone better than you thought you were going to be. Also, I've learned to cherish the free education that I have received from here. The experience was hard at first then I became use to it and fell in love with it even in my darkest of days of being here like when I was hospitalized. I manage to bounce back onto the track and as well as in the class room."

His goals for his final year at South Plains are to capture his own national title. This indoor season he is currently ranked fourth in the 55 meter hurdles and then in the words of his Coach  Blaine Whiley 'to put the hammer down for outdoor'. Davis has been putting in the work to push himself to run between 49 and 50 seconds this year for the 400 meter hurdles. After earning his AA degree at the end of the spring, he will move onto a new chapter of his running career and move west to run for Mississippi State University. He says the recruiting process was easier this time around because he knew what to expect.

"It came easy to me to just go there and get right to business. Plus the coaches were on me even harder now than back in high school. I was considering LSU, Kansas, Ole Miss, UTSA, and Texas Tech, but I felt Mississippi State was honestly and truly the best fit for me and my talent as well as education."

In life, situations don't always play out the way you envision, but for Davis the NCAA is finally calling. He is looking forward to running just as fast at Mississippi State as he did at South Plains. He has plans to run the 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4x400, and maybe even a little long jump. Davis is embarking on his second college adventure and says he has advice for all those who are signing in the class of 2013.

"All of you have a chance to be someone great in life no matter what the fight might be. The only person who can stop you from reaching your goal is YOURSELF. Never sell yourself short. Always go further than you did the day before, but remember these words stay humble, dedicated, and hungry for success."

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