After being pursued by a number of U.S. and Canadian universities, Haley Davis will commit to the University of Guelph’s track and field and cross country teams in a signing ceremony this week.
Davis has overcome some injuries throughout her high school career, but a devastating diagnosis and surgery she received in the summer could have sidelined her from the sport she loves for good.
When Davis began high school at John F. Ross she had absolutely no cross country running experience, but decided to attend some practices.
“She was keeping up with the senior boys,” recalls cross country coach Michelle Brady.
When it came time for her first ever race, Davis asked her coach for advice.
“I said ‘you’re doing pretty well at practice, just get out front and see if you can stay there,’ — which is actually something you never tell anyone,” said Brady. “We watched Hayley go through the finish line and there was no one else, I don’t know how far back the next person was but it could have been 400 metres.”
Davis went on to win the gold medal at the provincial OFSAA championship and won a second gold later that same year in the 1,600 metre event in track and field.
Davis said she was more involved as a soccer player, but after her success in Grade 9 began to focus more on running.
“I have always loved to run,” said Davis.
Between cross country and track and field, Davis has qualified for OFSAA in each of her four years of high school and has won a total of five medals.
“That’s hard to do,” said her track and field coach Jamie Gusba. He notes that John F. Ross has had won 10 OFSAA championships since 1996 — and two of them are from Davis’ Grade 9 year.
In addition, Davis holds an astonishing seven school records.
Gusba said the University of Guelph is lucky to sign a talent like Davis as its program is undergoing dramatic changes in the fallout from the firing of Dave Scott-Thomas late last year.
“For a young woman to come into this program, with her achievements, is good for the university,” he said.
A talent like Davis comes around maybe once a decade, said Gusba.
Davis will enrol in the university’s Bachelor of Bioresource Management program.
“It combines environmental science and business, which is perfect because I like a bit of everything and found that combination to be really good,” she said.
In the summer, a health scare put Davis’ athletic career in jeopardy.
“At the end of the summer I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and I had surgery immediately,” said Davis.
The tumour was located in the rear of her brain on the right occipital lobe.
“They didn’t know if I would be able to run,” she said.
When it came time for cross country season in the fall, Davis was cleared to run. Just six weeks after surgery she placed 10th at district championships and a week later she once again qualified for OFSAA, but rolled over on her ankle on the practice before the meet.
Brady said it was incredible to watch Davis’s determination as she made her comeback after the surgery.
“The grit and resiliance she had before going through this really shone through,” said Brady. “Haley is a fierce competitor.”
Davis said her most recent cross country season had a different dynamic.
“It was more about being a part of the team,” said Davis. “I felt like my primary goal was to help the team get to OFSAA and that’s what I ended up doing.”
“I was just happy to get back to doing what I loved,” she added.
Davis said being able to run again has helped her to heal.
“Everything is really good, the prognosis is looking good so far. It just took a while,” she said. “I had the most supportive friends, family, coaches and surgeon, who was incredible.”
The motto ‘run happy’ took on new meaning for Davis.
“Before the surgery I really struggled, as I think all runners do, with the anxiety and stress before races. After the surgery I remind myself that I am doing this because I love to do this and I am doing it for fun, no one is forcing me to do this,” she said.
Going into her final high school track and field season, Davis said she’s just excited to keep running.
“I don’t have too many expectations — except I would really like to (personal best), that would be really nice. Other than that I would like to just train hard and have some fun with it this year,” she said.
