KEVIN DAVIS

Trenton Central -- Mid-Distance

A seven-time Mercer County champion, Kevin Davis was one of the most dynamic and accomplished middle-to-long-distance scholastic runners in Central Jersey history.

A three-season track standout who took county titles in cross country, the 4x400 and 1,600, Davis was at his toughest in the 800 meters, where he staged epic duels with future U.S. Olympian John Marshall of Plainfield in 1980 and 1981. So talented was Davis that he shared the 1981 Group IV state 800-meter title with the Plainfield paragon, earning co-NJ Athlete of the Year status. But Davis’ success wasn’t limited to his senior year in high school, where he was a four-time Central Jersey Group IV champ.

The 1980 AAU 1,600-meter champ for both New Jersey and the Eastern region, he reached the national final. Then at Villanova University, he got to team with his ex-rival Marshall as well as international standout Marcus O’Sullivan to lead the Wildcats to several Big East and IC4A crowns from 1981 through 1985.

Davis (far right) as part of Villanova's Penn Relays Champion 4x800m Relay in 1984

Davis’ most spectacular moment may have come in 1984 when he ran the lead leg of Villanova’s winning College 4x800 at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia. After gaining his bachelor’s and masters degrees at Villanova, he earned his PhD from Rutgers University Newark, and became a perennial mainstay on the Mercer County track scene becoming an NJSIAA official at local and state events and the middle-distance coach for the esteemed Trenton Track Club.

MAJOR TITLES

• State Champion Group IV (Outdoor) - 800m 1981

• 3x CJ Sectional Champion - 800m 1980 & '81, 1500m 1981

• 5x Mercer County T&F Champion (Outdoor) 800m 1980 & '81, 1 Mile Run 1979, 1500m 1980 & '81

• Mercer County Champion Cross Country 1980

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