Davian Jones from Opelika kicked off 2024 with an impressive four event performance in Ice Breaker #1. He had a personal Indoor best of 45-08 in the triple jump (1st), 21-11.25 in the long jump (1st), 6-0 in the high jump (2nd), and 7.19 in the 60m dash (3rd) all in the span of 4 hours. We caught up with him about his impressive weekend.
Tell me about this weekend and your performance in Ice Breaker #1. Feel like you're in a good spot to start 2024?
I had a good meet this weekend. Not my best but I'm getting better every meet. I had a great week of practice so it all paid off at the meet. I feel like I'm in a great spot starting off the year and I'm only going to get better from here.
In Long Jump, you fouled on the first jump. Shemar Welch jumps 21-05 to take the lead. What's your initial thought?
It kind of shook me because he's a great jumper as well but I trust my coach to know he'll get me on the board.
Comparably in the triple jump, you also missed your first jump but came back with a second jump for a US Top 25 jump for the win. What was said between you and your coach in both of those instances?
He was telling me to speed up down the runway and hold my phases a little bit longer so I could get the most out of my jump.
How do you manage the four events in such a short time?
I usually ask the officials for a little break before I jump so I can rest my legs.
Which of your events is your favorite? Which has the most potential?
I honestly don't have a favorite. I love doing them all. Triple jump has the most potential. It's my best event and I practice it the most.
How in the world does one realize they're going to be good at triple jump?
I didn't know I was gonna be lol. I started practicing more and started noticing a difference in my jumps every meet.
What got you started into track and field?
It's kind of a funny story. My sister started running track when she was nine. She went to practice one day and quit because she didn't like running lol. It kinda influenced me to do it cause it didn't seem that bad. I signed up the next year and I've been running ever since.
Why should field events get more love than they do, in your opinion?
I feel like they're more interesting than running events because it's more than just running through a line. There's more technique and skill involved in it, which I feel makes it more interesting.
Opelika just moved up to 7A. What's it going to take from you in a few weeks to get on the podium for multiple events?
Prayer, being coachable, and working my hardest every day.
What's your go-to pre meet routine?
I always stretch when I wake up that morning. Then I'll sit in silence for a couple minutes to get my mindset straight, pray, and then I'll get ready to head to the meet. When I get to the meet, I'll stretch, listen to music, take any medication I need and lay down until my events start.
Music wise, what was your top song from 2023?
I would say "I'm Da Man" by Lil Tony Official.
Are you pursuing track and field at the next level? Can you share any specific schools you're looking at?
Yes sir, that's the plan. My top school as of now is Alabama but I'm also looking at Auburn, Kentucky, Houston, and Tennessee.
What are some final big picture goals through Outdoor for yourself?
I wanna achieve the marks of 50 ft in triple and 23 ft in long jump and become a State Champion in my personal events as well as a team State Championship.
Catch Davian back in action at the Last Chance Invitational and the AHSAA State Championship.
