Lianna Davidson

BIOGRAPHY

A very talent junior baseballer, Lianna Davidson has complied an outstanding US college career, winning two silver medals in the javelin and becoming the second longest in college history with her throw of 63.79 at the start of the 2025 season. This year she also made her Australian team debut at the World University Games in Germany

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Lianna Davidson’s first sport was baseball, starting at the age of four-years. A pitcher, she would go on to represent NSW and Australia and at the Junior League World Series in Detroit in 2017, she was the only girl there. She also started her journey in athletics very young, from the age of eight. She competed for a decade in Little Athletics.

Aged 17 in 2019, Lianna had terrific year winning three under-18 titles – Australian junior, Australian All Schools and Oceania. She also nailed a PB of 57.15m with the 500g javelin. She also placed 2 nd at the National U20 Championships.

Her 2020 was a challenging year. Days before COVID closed down the world, on March 7 she threw 52.89m to easily exceed the World U20 Championships standard. Unfortunately, the championships would be postponed to 2021.

Mid-COVID in March 2021 Lianna smashed her PB throwing 54.64m, but the event was on the rise and by the end of the Australian junior championships five athletes had thrown over 52 metres. At those Nationals Liana placed 3rd, but would miss world junior team selection.

Mid-year she commenced her college career at Texas A&M University. During her 2022 outdoor season she threw a PB 55.66m. Her 2023 campaign was of the highest standard, surpassing 56 metres in seven competitions and placed 2nd at the NCAAs with a PB 58.78m. 2024 was the same and better, 2nd again at the NCAAs with a PB 60.70m.

By the 20025 outdoor season she had transferred to the University of Georgia and opened her season in March with an extraordinary throw of 63.79m now #7 Australian all-time. It would also be the second longest by an NCAA athlete in history. She flew back to Australia to win the Maurie Plant meet with a throw of 61.06m. After another throw of 62.27m, she would place 4th at NCAAs.

In July she finally made her Australian team debut at the World University Games, placing 7th in the final.

Coaches: Angus McEntyre and Don Babbitt…Memorable sporting achievement: I grew up playing team sports, so team achievements are huge to me! Therefore, becoming the NCAA champions this year with my team at Georgia is probably my most memorable achievement. It was awesome to celebrate as a group and to be surrounded by such talented athletes/teammates…Hero: Growing up, my idol was Mariano Rivera, a pitcher for the NYY. When I transitioned into the javelin world it was Mackenzie Little…Most influential person in career: Her Dad and Mum. My dad got me into the sport and would drive hours during the week and especially on the weekend to train in Wollongong; giving up his whole Sunday. Both my mum and dad are my biggest supporters and try to encourage and support me whenever they can. They both have flown to the US multiple times to watch me compete in the big competitions…Advice to your young self: To love what you do and to be grateful! This sport takes you all over the world, and for that I am truly grateful. I also find my best performances happen when I am laughing, having fun, and just enjoying the experience…Hobbies: reading on her Kindle and chatting…Sporting ambition: to be an Olympian and a world medallist….Education: Texas A&M University, Mays Business School (Business Degree) (2021-2024); University of Georgia, Social Entrepreneurship degree (2024-2026)…Other Sports: baseball from age 4, Australian representative…Biggest challenge faced: training, competing, and completing my studies across the world, away from my family and friends. The time zones themselves are hard, as I cannot talk to them whenever I want, and often have to schedule times. It is also difficult not to celebrate and be with my family on special days and holidays and to only go home once a year to see them.

@ 3 September 2025 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au