At N. C. Central University, football and basketball sports programs are known for their elite athletes.

But one world record holder stands out from the rest –— and he places neither football nor basketball.

Finance Junior Christopher Davis is a track and field star whose event is the 60-meter sprint.

Last Saturday, Davis placed sixth at the New Balance Invitational in New York City.

Davis ranks among the top 12 in the U.S. for 60-meter indoor track. He also ranks in the top 30 in the world for the same event.

Last year, Davis won the NCAA Division II national championship in his event.

Though Davis has set records for running, his path to success hasn’t been easy.

“Last summer I was running the bleachers by myself every day, working hard and still getting up at 6 a.m. to lift weights or go for a run by myself,”said Davis.

“People don’t see that — they just see the rewards.”

Davis has been working hard since he began running track at NCCU his freshman year.

“I had to get used to the workout and had to ask Coach what works and since [then] I have adapted to certain things and focus on what helps me in my race,” he said.

Davis, a Charlotte native, began running in his neighborhood with his friends and has stuck with it.

“I just used to run and it was fun,”said Davis.

“Then I started winning awards and medals and noticed I can beat people. Then it become a love of mine.”

Davis ran the 55-meter dash at Providence High School and began to run the 60-meter dash at NCCU.

NCCU head track and cross country coach Michael Lawson has watched Davis improve as an elite athlete in his sport.

“Chris has improved 90 percent since his freshman year,” said Lawson.

“He had bumps in the road when he first started but has improved.”

Davis keeps his favorite scripture with him every day: Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Davis’ work ethic and dedication to his sport has separated him from other runners.

“Chris has a vision and sets goals on a high level,” Lawson said.

“He wrote his goals down and made a list and he executed everything on his list. That’s how you know those that are serious and those that aren’t.”

Davis credits God, his family, friends, coaches and teammates, “and especially the ones that didn’t support me at first but are supporting me now.”

Davis’ next race will be the U.S.A. Track & Field championships in Boston on Feb. 22.

If Davis qualifies he will advance to the World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain March 7-9.

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