Illini runner Jon Davis and his path to being a cross country standout
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (BVM) — Illini star runner Jon Davis is in his fifth year with the Illinois cross country program. Davis has put together what might be his best season yet in his final year with the team. So far, he has been a two-time Big Ten Athlete of the Week, in part due to an impressive second-place finish at the Joe Piane Invitational on Oct. 1.聽
During his high school and college career, Davis has been able to acquire a number of impressive accolades including, most notably, four All-American Honors as a member of the Fighting Illini. When asked about his accomplishments, Davis notes that his awards are a product of dedication.
“Sign of work I have put in over the past 5 years,” Davis said.
It is clear that a factor in Davis鈥� motivation has been, 鈥渢hose who shared the roster鈥� with him during his time as an Illini.聽
While Davis has sustained a track record of success during his college career, his journey running competitively began far before he stepped on the University of Illinois campus.聽
“I stumbled upon [cross country] in late middle school and realized I was really good and just really liked to compete,” Davis said.
His passion quickly grew during his time at Oakwood High School, where he was able to become a top runner in the state of Illinois in both cross country and track. This run of success includes nine-time state champion accolades across the two sports, and three IHSA 1A cross country state championship victories. This string of success translated directly into his college career.
Davis grew up just 30 minutes away from Champaign, Illinois so the decision to attend the University of Illinois was always a consideration. During his college recruiting process, he landed on a few options spread across the nation, but ultimately decided on the local school.
鈥淟ooking at a lot of universities, I lived here almost all of my life,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淭he campus was really nice, [and I wanted to join] the whole team, the coaches and the program over the next half decade.鈥澛�
Davis was able to prioritize what was most valuable to his college experience and athletic career moving forward.
College athletes are no stranger to the impact that injuries can have on already short-lived careers. At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis was nursing an injury that would have caused him to miss much of his spring 2020 track and field season. Although, this injury did not ultimately lead to the missed time he had imagined. While Davis, like us all, is aware of the countless misfortunes that plagued the world during this time, the pandemic had hidden value for him.聽
鈥淸COVID-19] gave me another year of eligibility 鈥� allowed [me] to be at full fitness,鈥� Davis said.
Davis used the added time wisely, and eventually 鈥渢rained as hard as I could,鈥� to ensure that when he returned to the sport, he would be prepared.
After the aforementioned No. 2 placing at the Joe Piane Invitational in early October, he was thrilled with his ability to place as high as he did.聽
“I’m happy with the way things are going right now,” Davis mentioned. “I won the first race, and the guy I lost to in the second race was the runner up at NCAA鈥檚 last year.”聽
It is certainly a measure of success to finish the meet so impressively and stand among familiar company.聽
Continued success over a college career is only made possible with proper preparation and drive. Davis talks about how over the last ten years, he found what worked best for him and what that required of him.聽
鈥淥ut there to perform,鈥� Davis mentioned. 鈥淚 had to find a really good pre-race routine.鈥澛�
This is something he has been able to do effectively, alluding to eating the same foods and listening to the right music to get him pumped for each race.聽聽
Even with cross country being such an individual sport, a single athlete鈥檚 success pales in comparison to team triumphs. While attending a small high school, Davis had little opportunity to step into a leadership role with the team.聽
“I had no leadership experience,” Davis said. “I organically had more of a leadership role, especially over the last two years.”聽
Davis even notes how he has been one of the longest standing members with the program, including coaches.
As a graduate student, Davis has slowly approached the end of his college athletic career, and this holds some weight with him.聽
鈥淚 am seeing the end in sight,鈥� Davis commented. 鈥淔inding closure.鈥澛�
After five years with the program, it becomes difficult to easily detach from the memories and impressive feats that are ingrained in one’s career. However, Davis understands that he is approaching his next chapter. He notes that he is sure to find new ways to continue incorporating running with his everyday life, but that it will be a new experience no longer run competitively at the college level.聽
The Illinois cross country season is approaching its end. Davis will be back in action and poised for success at the Big Ten Championships in State College, Pennsylvania on Oct. 29.
