Tatum anchoring her now former IMG teammates to a 4x800 relay win
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It has been a roller coaster ride for Tatum David and her running career over the past three seasons. David started freshman year at Richland County Olney High School in central Illinois in 2019. It was there where she made an immediate impact, winning the 2A IHSA State Cross Country title in a freshman record/IL #4 all-time three-miler (16:04). She would go on to earn two All-American honors in the same season: Team Nationals (17th) and Footlocker (10th).
The super talented David would not stop there, continuing on into the 2020 indoor track season and running a swift 1600m in 4:51.49 before the remainder of the season came to a halt because of COVID-19.
David would seek greener pastures at the start of the 2020-21 school year when she transferred to the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Despite no national title to chase, David clocked a personal best 5K in 16:41 and competed in the first XC Town Meet of Champions.
Things were looking up for David who anchored her 4x800 mates to a US No.1 8:56.87 adidas Indoor Nationals title. However, despite running 4:49.63 in her first outdoor meet (March), it would be her last competition in an IMG uniform. Injuries played a significant factor in her not competing in the remaining portion of the outdoor season and later cross country season.
Rumors began circulating in the fall of 2021 about the possible return to Illinois, but nothing came of it. Though transfer thoughts began swirling again after a sighting of David at the Illinois cross country championship, where she was decked out in street clothes and a smile.
After capturing her name among the mile entrants of the upcoming Louisville Games as an unattached runner, it begged the question of whether David was back in Illinois. "I am back attending Richland County High School in Olney," stated an elated David. She is eager to get back to competing at a high level in time. "I'm far from race-ready, but I just want to get back on a track after an injury, setbacks, and having covid." In due time, Illinois is regaining one of its elite and talented athletes.
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