MaxPreps' (2011) fourth-ranked long jumper nationally placed her name atop the Omaha Central record books in the 100-meter high hurdles (13.983 seconds), long jump (19 feet, 6 inches) and in the triple jump (40-6 1/2) as a sophomore. She also tied Avrie Welton for the school mark in the high jump (5-6) and ran a leg on the school's top 800-meter relay time of 1:45.32 during the same season.
Last year, Moen-Davis set Viking standards in the high jump (5-6), long jump (20-2 3/4) and in the triple jump (42-4). The impact of holding records at two schools is not lost on Moen-Davis.
"It's kind of a big deal," she said. "It's great to be remembered for that. Now I have to work to get better."
As for competing against her former teammates?
"I'm definitely very competitive," Moen-Davis said. "At least I get to see my old friends. I do get the traitor word and stuff at times, but it's all in fun. They're still my good friends."
When the Nebraska state track meet rolls around in May, Moen-Davis will be trying for a four-year sweep in the 100 high hurdles after winning Class A gold in the event as a freshman, sophomore and a junior. The jumping extraordinaire has lost just twice in the short hurdle event during her prep career, yet she considers the triple jump to be her best event. Each loss was to Viking teammate Brianna McGhee at Lincoln High's Beechner Athletic Complex. Moen-Davis is listed second on the Cornhusker State's all-time charts in the event, while McGhee sits seventh.
"We definitely get each other going regardless of which race we're running," Moen-Davis said of the push she gets from McGhee. "She's a very good athlete and I expect her to do a lot next year. She's somebody that I can expect to break a couple of my records."
The very threat of losing those school and state records, just a year after completing her prep eligibility, has Moen-Davis striving for some big numbers this spring. She wants to push her records out there.
"I want all-class gold in four events," Moen-Davis said after winning three such medals a year ago. "I also want a (state meet) record. In the triple jump I want to go 42…43…44. My goal in the long jump is to clear 21 and I want to run the 300 hurdles in 45 seconds or less. Over the summer I ran the 100 hurdles in 13.7. I'd like to hit that mark again, or lower."
Except for a third-place finish in the long jump as a freshman, the Nebraska state record holder in both the long and the triple jumps would be attempting to capture a sweep in the long jump as well. Instead, the 12-time Nebraska state track and field meet medalist will have to settle for going after her third straight career gold in the event.
"It has been a lot of fun," remarked Johnson on being able to coach Moen-Davis. "She can do some amazing things. Now it's just a matter of tweaking some things. While most athletes make marked improvements when they add an inch here or there, she is capable of adding 6 inches to a foot."
