NEW BOSTON, Texas - Although her senior year in track and field was cut short, New Boston's Chloe Davis has turned the page to her next chapter.
Davis signed a national letter of intent during the early signing period to join the track and field team at the University of Texas.
"I was excited and my nerves were wrecked," Davis said. "It's going to be a big change for me. I always thought I was going to go to a smaller school. I originally thought I would go somewhere that felt like high school. Once I took my visit to Texas, I immediately knew that's where I was supposed to be. If you get an offer from Texas, after you visit, you'll know it's home."
Initially, she only had offers from the University of Central Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin University.
"I didn't know I had the talent to go to Texas," she said. "I knew I was good but I thought there were better athletes out there. Once I went to the Texas track camp over the summer and started a relationship with the coaches, I realized I was better than the average."
Following the camp, she received the Texas offer and the one from Southern Methodist University.
Davis' personal record for the high jump is 5 feet, 7 inches. She also ran a 15.21 in the 100-meter hurdles and a 51.25 in the 300-meter hurdles.
"In college, I'll just be doing the high jump, Davis said. "I did hurdles in high school, but in college I plan to focus on the high jump."
Davis says she is ready for his transition from New Boston to Austin.
"Going to Austin for state, I was able to see a few different places," Davis said. "There's tons of one-way streets in Austin. Around here, everywhere is two ways. Getting used to a different environment is going to be challenging, but I'm up for the challenge."
Davis already has a brother studying at U of T, which should make the transition easier, she said. "Carlee Ratcliff, who is my classmate, will also be there at Texas, so having people I'm familiar with is going to help the process from going from a small school to a large university."
The Lady Longhorns have been on a run recently.
"Texas women's just won the Big 12 indoor championship for the third year in a row, so it's some pressure to keep that streak alive," Davis said. "As a freshman coming in, if you don't perform, there a chance you may not get to go compete. There's a lot of pressure, but I plan to go in and work hard. I want to put as many points on the board as I can to help our team win another one."
Davis was able to compete in two meets this season before high school track was canceled nationwide because of the pandemic. Based on her performance, she thought she was on track to achieve personal bests of 5 foot 8 inches, or 5 foot 9 inches in high jump.
"Me and Carlee have a lot in common because we both have to keep training as much as possible, even though we don't have a season this year," she said. "There are days when you don't feel motivated because you know you have four more years. I would have much rather finished my senior year with my friends."