Lower Merion runner Aja Davis is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A senior, Davis finished third in the 60-meter dash and ninth in the 200-meter run (24.93) at the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association state indoor track meet. At the Varsity Classic at the Armory in New York, she won the 200 meter run and won the 55-meter dash in 7.04, a clocking that is tied for sixth among U.S. girls’ high school runners.
Q: What was your most memorable experience at States?
A: Coming into the meet I was very nervous and excited to run both races. The previous week I ran at the Ocean Breeze meet in New York and ran my PB in the 55-meter dash (7.11) and ran a 26.5 in the 200-meter dash. Knowing that I could run faster for both races I went out there and tried to execute everything that my coach had told me all week.
Q: What’s your favorite local running venue and why?
A: The Armory – I feel like every time I run on that track I feel as if I was a professional runner.
Q: What aspect of your running are you working on most recently?
A: I work on getting out the blocks and having a good start because as a sprinter having a good start basically sets up a good race.
Q: What would you like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: I would like major in biology premed and I want to become a pediatrician
Q: Tell us a little about your running shoes, the type of shoe you favor and why.
A: Brooks running shoes are my preferred running shoe and Nike are my preferred spikes. Nike spikes are the most comfortable for me when I’m racing because they are a light shoe and I like how the spikes are placed on the back of the shoe.
Q: Briefly describe for us your pre-race preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a race.
A: I wake up for the meet and grab my uniform and put on two layers of clothing so I can stay warm after my warmup. I grab my beats headphones and put on Lauryn Hill. To get myself mentally prepared for my race I picture how I’m going to execute it.
Q: What has been the most important thing you have learned in indoor track this winter? Does your running strategy change much running indoors vs. running outdoors?
A: I learned that many obstacles can get in your way to success. I learned that I must overcome these obstacles and move forward. Yes, the way I run the 60-meter dash will be totally different from running the 100-meter dash outdoor.
Fun facts – Aja Davis
Favorite book: When The Air Touches Your Brain.
Favorite TV show: Spongebob Squarepants.
Favorite movie: High School Musical 3.
Favorite athlete: Tori Bowie.
Favorite pre race pump up song: Tell Him, by Lauryn Hill.
Favorite team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Favorite place to visit: “My grandma’s.”
Favorite pre race: Eggs and fruit.
Person I most admire: “My mother, Monique Davis, because she is a very independent, strong, encouraging person. She works long hours to make sure that my brothers and I are set in life . Also she is very loving and caring person. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Siblings: Desi Jr., Deion, Ashton.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
