By Sylvester “Nunnie Robinson
Nyajah Davis, a 2023 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Ft. Lauderdale, has accepted a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She began her track career at the age of 5 with the All Heart Track Club in Atlanta, Ga. Additionally, her dad coached track so she was always around the sport, her interest piqued early and things evolved naturally.
Versatility has been an obvious strength throughout her evolution as a track athlete, having competed in several events including the 100, 200, and 400 meters, even testing her stamina and endurance in the 800 meters, an event many sprinters shy away from. However, Nyajah is quite the exception as she currently holds the school record that she set at Seminole Middle in Plantation. Having competed in both the long jump and her favorite event, the triple jump, manifestations of the heptathlon, the female version of the decathlon, become a distinct possibility. We shall see.
Nyajah, supremely confident, believes that she is built physically, emotionally and mentally for challenges associated with the demands of track and field and at 5’5”, 141 pounds, who’s going to challenge her. Her combination of speed, strength, power and mental acumen bodes well for a successful collegiate career.
Born on September 7, 2005, in Plantation, Florida, Nyajah is the oldest of three daughters-Nyla 16 and Nydia 6 – born to parents Tonya and James Davis, who played running back for the Boyd Anderson Cobras in the early nineties. So she gets her athletic ability naturally.
At the Florida State track meet, she placed 7th in the triple jump while anchoring the 4 X 1 relay team to a third place finish.
Her performance attracted the attention of several universities, but she decided on Southern Illinois after developing a special connection with Associate Head Coach Stephani Perkins, solidified by an official visit to the campus site where the facilities, campus layout and family atmosphere convinced her that this was the right choice for her. When asked if parents influenced her decision, she said she definitely values their opinion, but ultimately it was my choice based on what I thought would be most beneficial for me. Too often students are uncertain about which academic path or major to pursue, but in Nyajah’s case nothing could be further from the truth. She stated emphatically and with great assurance, “ my aspiration is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.”
When questioned about Olympic or professional goals post college, Nyajah left the door open, stating that she had no specific goals, but that circumstances could change.
Since her dad attended an HBCU – Alabama State University in Montgomery – I asked if she had considered that option. She said that she entertained several offers but followed her instincts in choosing Southern Illinois.
Nyajah opined that other than her parents, she views as role models and draws inspiration from Yulimar Rojas, a Venezuelan triple jumper and the music of Rod Wave, a St. Petersburg Florida native whose eclectic style incorporates rap, southern rap and contemporary R & B.
With the political turmoil, gun violence, climate change, and pro life coalition, Nyajah demonstrated a sensitive side, especially concerned about her future as an African American woman. However, I am an optimist, seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty:
“Always look at the bright side ; it’s a time for everything and everyone. I doubted myself when I saw others around me signing scholarships. I turned that doubt into hard work and look at me now: a D1 Athlete. “
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