As the Whitehall girls 4x100 team sat on the benches waiting to collect their gold medals at last week’s EPC Track and Field Championships, Amanda Crooks draped her 100 meter gold medal around the neck of Helen Davis.

Crooks had won the gold medal earlier that afternoon, and the gesture to her injured relay teammate was to affirm that Davis was still a part of them.

Davis had been 1/4 of that 4x100 team until a foot injury last Monday prevented her from competing at the EPC Championships. She had to watch as they raced around the oval at the Zephyr Sports Complex, setting a school record with a 48.86 finish.

Davis, who was still wearing a boot, remained upbeat about the situation, focusing on the accomplishments of her fellow relay members.

“It is an unfortunate event, but to be honest with you, I’m just proud of my team, and I’m proud to be part of this team,” said Davis. “I might not be an alternate, I might not be a second leg, but no matter what, I will always be part of Whitehall 4x100 team.”

The newly-constructed foursome included Monica Manu, Rebecca Ganthier, Kate Bonshak and Crooks. Davis had been running the second leg, and was an integral part of the 4x100 squad that had established itself as one of the best relay teams in the league. She also competes in the sprints and has been a consistent top-five finisher in both the 100 and 200 during her career.

Davis said what happened is out of her control, but she refused to let the injury diminish the pride she felt when they set the school record. She looks forward when she’ll be able to compete again, but won’t let anything dampen her enthusiasm for her teammates accomplishment.

“I hope that in the future I’m in there with them, and hopefully in the future we do break that record we set this year, maybe next year, or after district and states, but either way I’m really proud of my team,” said Davis.

Davis’ injury occurred last Monday prior to the EPC Track and Field Championships which got underway the following day at the Zephyr Sports Complex. She said that while it may be a temporary setback, she believes that God has a plan for her, and that maybe they’ll break the newly set record in districts or states with her running one of the legs in that race. Whatever the outcome, she’s going to follow the path wherever it leads.