Norman High School senior Daviann Morris was ready to walk away from her sport, entering the 2025 Oklahoma high school state wrestling championship. She had suffered a dislocated kneecap her junior season and faced an uncertain future.
However, Morris made a promise the night before the tournament.
“Lord, if I place at state,” Morris said, “I’ll wrestle in college.”
Photo provided by Norman Public Schools.
The next day, after battling through a grueling slate of matches, Morris placed fourth and earned a spot on the podium.
“I want to do wrestling in college,” Morris said after the tournament.
Just a few months later, Morris’ recruiting process accelerated, leading her to sign with Rose State College for the inaugural season of the school’s women’s wrestling program.
Morris’ wrestling journey began when her younger sister, Davah, joined the middle school team. Despite being older, Morris said she has always followed her sister’s lead.
“(Davah) joined first,” Morris said. “Anything that she does, I do.”
Her first season wrestling was far from easy. Morris admitted she wanted to quit before a conversation with her mother changed her perspective.
“My mom didn't allow me to (quit),” Morris said. “Then I ended up being pretty decent at it, and I ended up liking the sport.”
Norman High head coach Jess Powell, who is in his first season back with the Tigers after 11 years coaching Southmoore High School, noticed Morris’ potential immediately. Jess Powell challenged Morris on his first day back to lift the heaviest dumbbell the team had.
“At the time, she was probably the lightest or smallest one in the room, …” Jess Powell said, “She, (with) one arm, took that 100-pound dumbbell … and lifted it up.”
Morris wrestled in the 105-pound weight class, making the dumbbell just five pounds lighter than her competition weight.
“I started calling her Thor from day one,” Jess Powell joked. “Like the lifting of the hammer.”
Morris’ relentless approach ultimately caught the attention of Rose State College head coach Jason Powell during the recruiting process.
“While evaluating Daviann, she consistently demonstrated grit and determination on the mat, regardless of her opponent,” Jason Powell said. “Whether winning or losing, she continues to push forward and find ways to score points.”
The Rose State College head coach added he is committed to building the program around student-athletes who are just as committed in the classroom as they are on the mat.
“Our goal at Rose State is to build a competitive program with student-athletes who are committed to success both on the mat and in the classroom,” Jason Powell said. “Establishing a standard of hard work is essential so future recruits understand the expectations of our program.”
Morris has kept her future coach’s message in mind as she prepares for her freshman season, where her goals remain simple.
“For right now, I want to be a good student-athlete in college,” Morris said.
Women’s wrestling hasn’t always had a strong presence at the collegiate level, but the sport continues to grow across all levels. Rose State College, a National Junior College Athletic Association program, feels the growth of women’s wrestling is evident, according to Powell.
“Over the years, women’s wrestling has not only grown in participation, but the level of technique on display has continued to evolve, showing just how much the sport has progressed,” Jason Powell said.
Morris would also like to see more girls enter the wrestling space and offered advice to younger athletes interested in the sport.
“Your identity shouldn't come from wins or losses,” Morris said. “Take them and learn from them. Don't dwell on them.”
Fellow Norman High wrestler Annie de Leon said Morris’ leadership by example was one of the qualities that stood out most about the Rose State commit.
“(Morris) is always working really hard and is always putting 100% effort into everything,” de Leon said.
Morris said leadership by example has always come naturally to her, and as Rose State College prepares for its inaugural season, she said the pressure is not overwhelming.
“It's all just natural to me,” Morris said. “I'm not really, no pressure. I'm happy, excited and blessed to be (at Rose State).”
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel. Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
