SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – March’s Student-Athlete of the Month presented by Carl Reynolds Law, highlights a Sarasota County athlete leaving a lasting legacy at her school.
“This program’s more than just basketball for me. It’s taught me not only to love the game, but to love each of my teammates like they’re my own sister. It’s brought a whole other side of love for the game. When I tore my ACL my freshman it brought a whole new appreciation for the game. They’ve taught me so much about myself, not only as a player, but as a person as well.”
Those comments came from Cardinal Mooney senior Olivia Davis last week after the Lady Cougars fell to Miami Country Day in the 3A State Championship in Lakeland, the third time in as many years that Davis and her team fell short of the title. Not only did the loss signal an end to Cardinal Mooney’s season, but to Davis’ time in the program as well.
After overcoming an ACL tear her freshman year, Davis proved to be one of the best players in school history and in the state, averaging 16 points per game in three years of play, reaching three-straight 3A state title games. Looking back, Davis says being a part of this team changed her outlook on the game she loves.
“It’s we over me at this point. I put these girls before myself everyday now. Before, I can say, I was a little bit selfish here and there. I wanted it all for me and then coming here playing my sophomore year, there’s a whole new perspective to it now.”
With her next destination known to be the University of Tampa, the future Spartan will play for 20-year coaching veteran Tom Jessee at the division-two level next season, in a choice that was simple for the former Indianapolis-native.
“It really did feel like home. I, for the longest time, told myself I wanted to get out of Florida and go back up North, and I had those options. Tampa was my only Division-II offer and I look at that as a positive. I took it and ran with it, I’m going to make an immediate impact. I don’t want to go sit on the bench for the first two years, I want to go make my mark right as I get there.”
Aside from her play on the court, Davis is a star in the classroom as well. Touting a 4.2 GPA, Davis has had educational influence throughout her life, with her father being a former assistant school superintendent in Indiana. The hopeful pre-med student and future orthopedic surgeon found balance in sports and education when choosing the University of Tampa.
“My parents have always instilled in me, with them being in education for the longest time, that school will always come over sports. When looking for a school I really tried to balance that rigor between them. Tampa is obviously a phenomenal school, and they have exactly what I want to study and what I want to major in. So that’s just keeping that balance between academics and athletics.”
Looking back fondly on her time at Cardinal Mooney, Davis states that she’s made many lifelong friendships, sisters if you will. She embraces the love she’s received from those teammates, coaches and faculty members of the school. Davis encourages other aspiring student-athletes to surround themselves with a winning culture to breed the success you dream of.
“You have to surround yourself with the right people, with the same goals as you. I, at times, haven’t and that’s when I see myself decline a little bit. But once you decide to buy-in with those good and positive people, it will make a tremendous difference in social life, school life, and sports. Surround yourself with the ones that just push you, motivate you in every aspect.”