Calvin Davis (April 2, 1972 – May 1, 2023) was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 400 meters, though his fame came from his success in the 400 meter hurdles.

Calvin Davis
Personal information
Born(1972-04-02)April 2, 1972
Eutaw, Alabama, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 2023(2023-05-01) (aged 51)
Springdale, Arkansas, U.S.
Medal record
Men's track and & field
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 400 m hurdles
World Indoor Championships
Gold medal – first place 1995 Barcelona 4x400 m relay

Davis ran for the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he won the bronze medal in the men's 400 meter hurdles event.

Davis attended Dorchester High School in Boston. At Dorchester High School he made a name for himself in both track and football. Calvin has most of the Dorchester High track records. For example, he holds the 200 record at 21.6 the 300-yard at 31.2 and the 400 meter at 47.7. He also was an outstanding football player. In his senior year the Dorchester Football team played in the Super Bowl. He scored the winning touchdown that clinched the Super bowl for DHS. He was also chosen to play in the prestigious Shriners Game and caught two touchdown passes. He was heavily recruited out of high school and eventually made his way to the University of Arkansas.

Davis competed collegiately for the University of Arkansas, primarily as a flat 400 meter sprinter, not learning the hurdles until later. He won the NCAA Indoor 400 meter title in 1993 and 1994. In 2013, he was inducted into the University of Arkansas Athletic Hall of Honor. [1] Davis died on May 1, 2023, at the age of 51.[2]

Rankings

edit

Davis stayed among the best 400 meter hurdlers in the US for a number of years, as evidenced by his rankings from Track and Field News.[3][4]

Year Event World rank US rank
1996 400 m Hurdles 4th 3rd
1997 400 m Hurdles 7th
1998 400 m Hurdles 4th
1999 400 m Hurdles 10th 4th
2000 400 m Hurdles 6th
2001 400 m Hurdles 4th
edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "2013 Sports Hall of Honor Class Announced". July 22, 2014.
  2. ^ Price, Shawn (May 1, 2023). "Olympic Medalist, Razorback Multiple NCAA Champion Calvin Davis Passes". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Rankings Index - Men's 400 Hurdles" (PDF). trackandfieldnews.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  4. ^ "World Rankings Index:Men's 400 Hurdles" (PDF). trackandfieldnews.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2008.