JC track and field: Fresno City’s Moesha Davidson eyes back-to-back state titles

Fresno City College track and field sophomore Moesha Davidson likes to stay focused when she gets to the starting line. But she also likes to mingle with competitors before the event and wish them good luck.

It has worked out well for Davidson in that regard despite the competition “trying to distract me.”

Davidson has had her way in the 100-meter dash as a Ram and won NorCal titles in the heptathlon (4,774 points) on April 13 along with the long jump (19-2 1/2 ) and triple jump (38-8 1/4 ) on May 14. She was named NorCal’s Field Athlete of the Year.

Davidson is the defending state champion in the 100 (11.48) and long jump (18-6 1/2 ) heading into this weekend’s California community college track and field championships at San Diego Mesa. She will also compete in the 100 high hurdles, high jump and triple jump.

Davidson competed in gymnastics as a youth for United Gymnastics Academy in Hanford, and as a senior at Kings Christian High in 2014 she placed 19th in the 100 high hurdles at the CIF State Track and Field Championships.

Q: What is it about heptathlon that you like?

A: I really enjoy it because most of the events I already do, and I think having that time in between each event. They give you 30 minutes in between each event and that really helped. It’s like a full recovery, almost. Heptathlon is more relaxed.

Q: What is so interesting about you is you participated in gymnastics. How long were you in gymnastics and what advantages has it given you when it comes to track and field?

A: I was doing gymnastics for 8 1/2 years and stopped when I was a freshman. In gymnastics, you’re stretching all the time and you’re flexible. In hurdles, not only do you have to learn the technique, but it helps to be flexible because your body already has that movement, and also for the running I think having that flexibility helps to get your legs up. It’s like with long jump, too, with the flexibility, how you have to jump off the board. Trying to get your knees up and your head down to your legs. It just comes natural to me.

Q: Well, this is your chance to repeat as 100-meter champion and in the long jump. How often do you think about repeating?

A: It’s my goal to get it back-to-back. I think about it every now and then because I think it would be really cool to able to have that title as state champion two years in a row. That’s definitely something I think about when I’m working out. All this work is going to pay off and I want to get back-to-back first places. Everyone wants to be on top, and this year we have a lot of good competitors that’s close to where I am. I know they’re working just as hard to try to beat me. That makes me want to run even faster so they can’t pass me.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "JC track and field: Fresno City’s Moesha Davidson eyes back-to-back state titles."