Pictured above are Erika Davis, Abigail Davis and Kirk Davis and the HHS track coach Nick Collier. Davis signed a letter of intent to be a distance runner with UAB. She is top of her class in academics and athletics. She was drawn to UAB for the strong academic programs offered at the school. | Caleb Suggs

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle’s Abigail Davis was the next Tiger athlete to take her talents to the next level when she signed her letter of intent to be a distance runner and attend school at the University of Alabama in Birmingham on April 15. Davis was Hartselle’s second signing in as many days.

A celebration was held in Davis’ honor in the library at Hartselle High School as friends, family and coaches gathered to commemorate her career at Hartselle and wish her well at UAB. Head track coach Nick Collier spoke some words in honor of Davis. “It has been an honor to get to work with Abigail as she is a great worker on and off the field.” Former Hartselle guidance counselor and track coach Kenny Lopez also returned to speak a few kind words for the student he coached for three years. “I remember before her freshmen year when I tried to get her to try out for distance running and she wasn’t quite sure,” Lopez said “Now four years later and here we are. It was a privilege to be able to work with Abigail for all the years.”

Davis is one of Hartselle’s top students, both athletically and academically and she will surely thrive at UAB.

“The academics was what really drew me to UAB, and also their coach really knows what he’s doing so I feel comfortable with him,” Davis said. “I feel really prepared for UAB thanks to Hartselle and I already have 15 credit hours before I go there.”

Lopez would add on to his earlier comments. “She is about as top notch as you can get as far as a student and athlete goes. She works hard, knows what she’s doing and is easy to coach,” Lopez said. “She is the first female distance runner that Hartselle has had in a long time and I am excited to see where she goes from here.”