Natchez High freshman sprinter Janice Davis is not surprised with what she continues to accomplish during her illustrious running career. But her coach is still amazed. And Henry &uot;Doc&uot; Woods has had some amazing athletes come through the ranks of North Natchez and Natchez High.

&uot;Janice has more credibility than any athlete I’ve ever had,&uot; Woods said. &uot;She just continues to get better and better.&160;She works so hard. There’s a lot still ahead for her. We’re just trying to pace here.&uot;

Davis proved to be at full stride last week at the Wordy Hicks Relays in Woodville, setting three meet records.

Davis won the 100-meter dash in 11.72, broke the record in the 200 at 24.40 and put up a new mark in the 400 at 56.97.

Davis, the daughter of Dr. Benny Wright and Janice Davis, finished fourth in the 400-dash at the National Junior Olympics in Omaha, Neb., last year, her seventh time to advance to the nationals.

She also qualified for the nationals in the 200-meters and long jump.

Davis finished 10th in the nation in the long as a 10-year-old.

As an eighth-grader last year, Davis won the 100-meter- and-200-meter dash and was second in the 400-dash at the Class 5A state championships.

Davis’ lack of surprise at her accomplishments comes from the fact she knows how much work she puts into it.

&uot;I’ve been training hard,&uot; she said. &uot;To win races you have to stay real focused. I try to find different techniques to better myself.&uot;

Davis did admit a little surprise at beating George County junior Christy Fairley at at meet at Southern Mississippi last week.

Fairley, the defending 4A&160;state champion, is considered one of the top sprinters in the South.

Davis beat Fairley in the 100-and-200-meter dash, finishing second in the 400.

&uot;I was just very confident,&uot; Davis said. &uot;Half of running is mental. I try to pump myself up and the girls on the track team help motivate me. The boys also yell. It’s a team concept. We’re all one family. I just exploded out of the blocks I was so pumped up. I just kept my arms going.&uot;

Davis said her rivalry with Fairley is good for both sides.

&uot;We’ve got a healthy competition,&uot; she said. We’re good friends. She’s given me advice about not getting boxed in and I try to help her out when I can. I look up to her a lot.&uot;

Davis runs with the Natchez boys team in practice to try and help her time.

&uot;I know if they are running at about 75 percent and I am running 99 percent I can keep up with them,&uot; she said

Davis said there is another motivation that keeps her going.

&uot;The 2004 Olympics,&uot; she said. &uot;I hope to make the Olympic team and run the 400. I know I’ve got three or four years of preparing myself for the ultimate goal. I’m going to try and make the international team next year, which competes in Hungary.&uot;

Davis said she knows she cannot slack off a bit in her training.

&uot;There’s always someone out there stronger or in better physical condition,&uot; she said. &uot;I have to stay focused to stay on top.&uot;

But she knows every day is not going to be a record-setting day.

&uot;Athletes have bad days,&uot; she said. &uot;I know I am not going to run my personal best every time.&uot;

Davis said her parents give her a lot of support.

&uot;My dad built a long jump pit in the backyard when I was growing up,&uot; she said. &uot;My mom gets me up at 4 or 5 in the morning to get me going and she shows me a lot of support.&uot;

Davis hit her growth spurt this school year, going from about 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-4.

&uot;It’s helped because I’m at a greater muscular capacity in my legs,&uot; she said. &uot;I don’t like to lift weights. I just run.&uot;

Davis also excels in the classroom, carrying a 100 average while taking several honors classes.

&uot;Sometimes it gets tough running, then taking care of homework and running again,&uot; she said. &uot;But it’s all worth it.&uot;