Meet Grace Davis ’29: Converse’s Fastest Valkyrie Ever

Written by Amanda Mathis

Accounting major Grace Davis ’29 seized the spotlight on March 14, 2026, as she became Converse’s first-ever NCAA Division II individual national champion, winning the women’s 60-meter dash at the 2026 Indoor Track & Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. 

Davis set the pace with a record-setting time of 7.26 seconds, becoming the first Conference Carolinas women’s individual to win an indoor national title, and helped her team finish in second place. She was also recognized as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. 

This accolade isn’t the first time she’s received recognition for her speed. Earlier this semester, Davis was ranked tied for third among all female runners from the United States under 20 years of age and tied for fifth globally.

Setting the Pace

A goal of this magnitude began simply – just run.

Back in 2020, Davis was 12 years old, and the world was facing COVID-19, and life as she knew it had changed. She laced up her shoes and started to run – at first, just for fun – and then to win. Her father, a powerlifting record-holder, taught her the importance of discipline in her training.

“Once you realize your potential and you train, you can be the best in the world.”

Grace Davis ’29

“I like winning, and in 10th grade, I realized that I was fast,” said Grace. “Once you realize your potential and you train, you can be the best in the world.”

That realization spurred her track and field career.

Davis soon became the fastest in her community and in South Carolina high school 100-meter races. Yet, in her junior year, she had to step away from the sport and take time for her mental health.

“During my junior year, I was in a mental health facitliy and lost all of my muscles,” she said of battling back not just mentally but physically. “When I came back my senior year, I trained hard and won the state 100-meter race,” she reflected. “It shows human resilience and how God has helped us in life.”

And, she did just that by winning the Class 3A state title in the 100 meters with a time of 11.93 seconds. She also finished second in the 200- and 400-meter races for Powdersville High School.

Achieving Firsts Off and On the Track

After touring several colleges, Converse welcomed Davis in 2025 as she achieved another first in her family – becoming the first to attend college. 

“Grace is the epitome of resilience,” said Dr. Daphnie Glenn, M.Ed., Assistant Vice President for Student Success. “I have worked with many first-generation students in my time in higher education, and Grace stands out. She is a quiet thinker who is always looking for ways to go after what is next. She has endured many tests in her life. However, she refuses to give up on herself and what she believes in.”

“Converse was the first place to show that the coach would focus on me and there were growth opportunities.”

Grace Davis ’29

Glenn says no hurdle or obstacle, on the track or in life, has been able to stop Grace. “Her hard work and commitment to her craft have allowed her to see major success within her freshman year alone. At Converse, our hope is that students like Grace will be fearlessly committed to running their race of life, being FIRST in everything they set out to do!”

Davis enjoys living on campus and is active in the Business Club, Gospel Choir, and the Black Student Union. 

“Converse was the first place to show that the coach would focus on me and there were growth opportunities,” she said. “I’m never lonely here, and I have some nice people to call on when I need something. There is a strong community here.” 

Finding Her Footing

Davis attributes her strong discipline and her ability to focus to her close friends and teammates, who have helped her this track season.

“Grace has been amazing to work with,” said Brandon Morton, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field and USTFCCCA’s Women’s Coach of the Year. “She is strong in her faith, and I’m sure her willingness to give God glory for her success is the biggest reason for her success. She continues to be resilient and a hard worker in the classroom and on the track. She is much more than an amazing athlete. She is an amazing person and student. Fast times and titles are icing on the cake. She has a big future ahead of her, and I’m glad I have been able to play a role in her development.” 

Davis’ next goal? She plans to be a champion at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and break the 100-meter world record. 

“Even though I am not perfect nor have achieved all of my goals, I need to do what is God’s will in my life,” Grace said. “I give glory to him for all the things I have achieved.”