Morgan Davis, member of the 2011-12 track and field team, is the Sam Houston State University’s female representative of the Southland Conference Scholar- Athletes of the Year.

“My reaction to finding out I was SLC student athlete of the year was complete shock,” Davis said. “I had no idea there was even such a title. I was extremely happy and glad that all those hours of practice and study time paid off.”

Davis earned a biology major with a chemistry minor at SHSU, and has placed in several track meets.

Davis won All- Southland Conference in the indoor pentathlon by coming in second, placed fourth in SLC heptathlon meets in 2011 and 2010, and placed fifth in the 2011 outdoor meet in 100m hurdles.

She graduated with an overall grade point average of 3.63,was on the Dean’s list all four years in college and on the Presidents Honor Role her sophomore year.

In March, Davis was recognized as SLC Indoor Track Women’s Student-Athlete of the Year.

Davis is also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council which makes decisions and votes on rules that student athletes have to follow.

Doing school, clubs, and athletics was hard for Davis but it was possible.

“Balancing school, track, and a social life was a challenge and the best way I was able to do everything was through time management,” Davis said. “I always knew when I needed to set aside time to study after practice, but I still made sure I left me some time to do the fun stuff.”

Davis knows she would balance all three again if she could.

“Regular students do not understand how tough it is to be an athlete as well as a student, but it is a challenge that I would accept over and over again.”

Davis started running track in seventh grade in Waller, Texas. She participated in many events, some that she is still in today. Davis was in athletics and it was required that she be in track.

“I didn't really decide to join the sport, it was required if you were in athletics, and then as it turned out I was pretty good at it,” Davis said.

Davis’s favorite event is the hurdles.

“It's funny that hurdles is my favorite because in junior high and my first 2 years in high school I wasn't allowed to do them because I was so clumsy,” Davis said. “Luckily I grew out of the clumsy stage.”

Davis is currently pursuing a master’s degree in health in hopes of getting into dental school.

Davis believes she will always run.

“It's in my blood,” Davis said. “Being a track athlete has been something that has defined me for so long and because of that I know I will always be a runner in some way.”