The Hive Sports

by James Tate

At Davis High School, excellence isn’t confined to one field; it sprints across the track, weaves through the soccer field, and charges up every hill in cross country. But for juniors Izzy Cram and Courtney Burbidge, achievement goes far beyond the personal records and the stat sheet.

These multi-sport athletes are not just redefining what it means to lead; they are setting a new standard. Their ability to balance elite competition with academic drive and service to their school, teams, and community is an inspiration to all.

Neither Izzy nor Courtney is confined to one sport. They compete in cross country and track, where their presence is felt from the starting gun to the final lean at the line. But their versatility doesn’t stop there. Izzy has emerged as a force in distance running, while Courtney balances her track and cross-country commitments with a starring role on the Davis girls’ soccer team.

photo courtesy of Shaunna Burbidge

Izzy Cram: The distance dynamo

Cram didn’t ease into high school running; she exploded onto the scene. As a freshman, she stunned the Region 1 field with a second-place finish at the cross country championships. She repeated that feat as a sophomore, this time helping Davis capture the girls’ region title in 2024. And in 2025, Cram made it three straight runner-up finishes, leading the Darts to a second consecutive region crown.

Her consistency in cross country has made her a fixture at the front of the pack, a runner who thrives under pressure and delivers when it matters most. Her sixth-place finish at the state meet in 2024 earned her All-State honors, cementing her status as one of Utah’s elites. In 2025, Cram finished 10th at the state meet, shaving five seconds off her 2024 time and earning her second straight All-State selection.

On the track, Izzy Cram’s sophomore season was a breakout. She captured the Region 1 title in the 3200 meters with a time of 11:17.63 — a clutch performance that helped Davis’ girls team edge Syracuse by a single point for the team championship. That race wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Cram had arrived.

“There are three races I’m most proud of,” Cram said. “First, the State Championship in cross country. Second, my 3200 at Snow Canyon last March, I ran 11:06.61, which qualified me for state and the Arcadia Invitational in California. That was huge for me. It was a big PR and took some pressure off the rest of my season, letting me focus on my team and my 1600m races. Third, the 6A Region 1 championship, where I won the 3200.”

Cram’s impact extends beyond the stopwatch. As a team leader, she sets the tone with her work ethic and example on and off the field. Cram maintains a 3.8 GPA, balancing athletic excellence with academic commitment.

“Izzy is a great example at the front of the pack,” said Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Jami Caldwell. “She shows the other girls what is possible.”

Davis High School’s motto, “Defending the Tradition,” resonates deeply with senior Izzy Cram, who has proudly represented the Darts in both cross country and track.

“From the minute I started running with the Davis High cross country team, between my 7th and 8th grade years, I knew I wanted to be a Dart,” Cram said. “I even had to get a variance to attend Davis High.”

For Cram, tradition isn’t just a slogan; it’s woven into every workout.

“Summer training includes the iconic Vita course every Monday, signature team workouts, and a high-altitude camp held at the exact location my coaches once trained as students,” Cram said. “Olympians who once wore the Davis jersey return each year to speak with the team, and I hope to one day join their ranks. Our first race of the season is always the Dart Challenge. It’s motivating and fun to see the times posted by former Darts who went on to compete in college, the Olympics, and professionally. I use those times as benchmarks for my own progression, and I was thrilled to become the #4 all-time high school female to run it this August.”

photo courtesy of Shaunna Burbidge

Courtney Burbidge: The relentless competitor

Courtney Burbidge is the kind of athlete who defies categories. A key contributor to the cross-country team, she also excels in both sprints and distance events on the track —a rare combination that speaks to her versatility and drive. In 2025, she earned All-State honors in track and field, anchoring the 4×200 relay team to a third-place finish at the 6A State Championships and helping the 4×100 relay team to sixth place. Her efforts also earned her All-Region recognition in cross country.

But Burbidge’s athletic résumé doesn’t stop at the track. In her junior season, she started as an outside back on the Davis High girls’ soccer team, helping lead the Darts to the 6A state semifinals in 2025, following a state championship appearance in 2024. Her speed, stamina, and defensive instincts made her a cornerstone of the back line, consistently shutting down opposing attacks and sparking transition play.

Even more impressive? She’s managed to balance soccer and cross country — two demanding fall sports — in the same season.

“Discipline is really important,” Burbidge said. “Because as a student first, I have to stay on top of my studies. I’ve learned to manage my time well, and I know that if I manage my workload, other things come more easily and give me time to do everything I want. Physically, I work really hard to stay in shape, and outside of sports, I try my best to eat well and recover so that the demands of sport aren’t as taxing on my body. Sometimes it feels like a lot, and I get worn out just like anyone. That is when I mentally dig deep and focus on the ‘why.’ These times are important because they challenge me and build mental toughness.”

photo courtesy of Shaunna Burbidge

In 2024, Courtney was a key contributor to region championship teams in soccer, cross country, and track—a rare trifecta of athletic success.

“I didn’t even realize it had happened until a family member pointed it out,” she said. “They asked how it felt to letter in three sports and be a three-time region champ in one year.”

For Courtney, the joy came not from the accolades but from the journey.

“It’s a testament to how much fun I was having that I wasn’t focused on the recognition—just on doing my best and helping my team,” Burbidge said. Reflecting on the season, she called it “something really special” and expressed gratitude for the experiences and memories built across each sport.”

photo courtesy of Shaunna Burbidge

Even her coaches recognize the rare commitment Courtney brings to multi-sport competition.

“I am always impressed with Courtney when she shows up to a cross-country practice after a soccer practice,” Coach Caldwell said. “We’re careful not to overtrain her, and she’s usually just there to support.”

That kind of presence — showing up even when she’s not expected to push physically — speaks volumes about her leadership and team-first mentality.

Coach Caldwell sees more than just athletic talent in Cram and Burbidge; she sees leadership.

“One thing I love about both Courtney and Izzy is that they are amazing at rallying their teammates,” Coach Caldwell said. “They’re so supportive and really great at gathering. They make everything a party.” Whether it’s a high-stakes meet or a routine practice, both athletes bring a light-hearted energy that helps the team stay loose and focused. They’re really good at keeping the atmosphere light and not succumbing to the pressure of big meets. That positive energy translates into the team’s success. Their impact also extends to the next generation. Izzy and Courtney are both really good at reaching out to younger athletes. They make our team a place where the younger girls feel comfortable and want to join.”

photo courtesy of Shaunna Burbidge

Izzy summed up the team spirit that fuels their success:

“Davis High is known for their large team and traditions,” Cram said. “As a TEAM, we strive to be the loudest and cheer on every single teammate. As a captain I find myself reminding my teammates that every point matters in cross country. Running is typically an individual sport but we also run as a team since the top 5 runners (plus 6 and 7 runners become tie-breakers) scores count. Each week, 2 members of both the girls and boys team are named as the “Athlete of the Week”.

“This is based on performance, a huge PR, a breakthrough race, effort at practice, or could even be a result of helping to lift up another team member. My coaches frequently talk about the importance of our TEAM and it makes me want to do my part to help push and encourage my teammates during practices and on the race course. As an athlete I have learned to focus on our team as a whole rather than just my individual race results.”

Together, Izzy Cram and Courtney Burbidge embody the spirit of dedication, versatility, and leadership that defines Davis High Athletics. Their achievements across multiple sports, combined with their commitment to academics and community, set a powerful example for their peers and future athletes. As they continue to push boundaries and inspire those around them, the legacy they build will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the Dart tradition.