IRVINE – DeAna Davis, a 2022 graduate of Great Oak High School, is leaving her mark in collegiate athletics. Over this weekend, the junior from UC Irvine delivered a stunning performance at the Vince O’Boyle Invitational, achieving a personal-best hammer throw of 57.65 meters. This outstanding feat not only earned her the lead in the competition but also secured her the spot as the second-best hammer throw in UC Irvine school history.
This latest milestone adds to an already remarkable season for Davis, who continues to elevate her performance on the collegiate stage. The Vince O’Boyle Invitational wasn’t DeAna’s first standout showing this season. Just one week prior, she claimed victory at the UCR Spring Classic. There, her opening mark of 57.32 meters set the tone for the entire meet, finishing as the top throw by a jaw-dropping margin of over 43 feet. That performance propelled her to third place on UC Irvine’s all-time hammer throw leaderboard—a position she has now impressively surpassed.
DeAna’s current success is rooted in her solid foundation at Great Oak High School. There, under the guidance of her coaches, including Coach Wright, Coach Beam, Coach Meeker, and former Olympian Lisa V. Misipeka, she honed her skills and discipline. Now at UC Irvine, she continues to thrive with the expert mentorship of Kaitlyn “Mom” Ciarelli and Coach “Dad” Ciarelli. Their support and expertise have been instrumental in helping DeAna achieve consistent improvements and push the boundaries of her potential.
Reflecting on her achievements, DeAna shared how her experiences at Great Oak High School laid the groundwork for her collegiate success. “The training, the guidance, and the encouragement I received at Great Oak shaped me as not only an athlete but also as an individual,” she remarked.
Beyond the accolades and records, DeAna has a clear vision for her future. She is pursuing a degree in Education Sciences with aspirations to become a teacher and a track and field coach. Her love for teaching and mentoring stems from the same drive that fuels her performance in athletics. She no doubt has a passion for inspiring and supporting others to reach their fullest potential.
Her record-breaking achievement at the Vince O’Boyle Invitational further solidifies her place among UC Irvine’s top athletes. With two full seasons still ahead of her, expectations are high for DeAna to claim the number one spot on the university’s hammer throw leaderboard, which is a feat that seems increasingly inevitable given her current trajectory.
DeAna’s 2024 track season was nothing to scoff at as well. She delivered standout performances in marquee events, including the Big West Championships, the Challenge Cup, and the Beach Opener. Consistently finishing at or near the podium, she has proven herself to be one of the most dependable competitors in her field. Balancing academic responsibilities and athletic commitments, her dedication is nothing short of inspiring for her peers at UC Irvine and for aspiring athletes everywhere.
As a freshman in 2023, she reached a season-best mark of 51.07m in the hammer throw and claimed runner-up honors at the Battle in the OC. Her sophomore year marked a turning point as she consistently climbed the UC Irvine record books, breaking into the top eight at the Big West Championships with an impressive 53.52 meters.
At her core, DeAna is driven not just by the will to succeed but by her desire to inspire a new generation of athletes. “Track and field taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay focused on my goals,” she explained. “It’s these lessons I want to pass down to the young athletes I hope to coach in the future.”
There’s no denying the bright future ahead for this talented athlete. Whether she’s making history on the field, excelling in her academics, or planning for a future in education, DeAna Davis exemplifies what it means to push boundaries and chase greatness. UC Irvine and the Great Oak High School community take immense pride in her accomplishments, as local fans eagerly watch her next thrilling chapters unfold.
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