Drake's Davis Seeks Better Than Best at State Meet

came through with the best shot put of her life Saturday to earn a trip to the State Meet.

The questions now become: What can the standout do for an encore? And in the grand scheme of things at the talent-laden track and field championships this weekend in Clovis, will it even matter?

Asked what Davis' goal should be at the State Meet, Drake coach assured: "To celebrate being at that level in the sport and to cherish the memory."

Davis, a senior, dominated Marin County Athletic League competition for the second consecutive season. But it's what she's done since the MCAL Championships that's been remarkable.

After a third-place finish at the North Coast Section Redwood Empire Championships, Davis was a decided underdog to get through the tougher competition at the NCS Meet of Champions.

She threw her best that day to give herself a chance, but wouldn't have made the State Meet unless she did even better later on -- outdistancing a girl who had passed her earlier in the competition.

She demonstrated a calmness under pressure her coach believes resulted from taking on several challenges during the spring season.

"I think taking her to the Stanford Invitational and to the big Mt. Sac Relays in Los Angeles enhanced her self-confidence for big meets," Taylor said.

The coach says the success couldn't come to a nicer athlete.

"She is a very athletic young woman," Taylor observed, "full of joy and humor."