For Davis Neel, the transition from being a Pulaski County Cougar to a Roanoke College Maroon has been defined by a singular, rhythmic sound: the snapping of hurdles.
Neel, a 2023 graduate of Pulaski County High School, has seamlessly translated his prep stardom into collegiate success. Now a sophomore at Roanoke College, Neel is proving that his "highest honors" designation in high school applied to both the oval track and the classroom. 
During his tenure at Pulaski County, Neel was a fixture at the front of the pack. A five-time state qualifier and four-time conference champion, he anchored the Cougars' hurdles program. His high school personal bests—15.70 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles and 42.54 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles—made him one of the most versatile athletes in the region.
While track was his primary calling, Neel’s athleticism wasn't confined to the spring. A multi-sport athlete who also played basketball and football, his favorite high school memory came on the gridiron, where he hauled in a 95-yard touchdown pass during his senior season.
Since arriving in Salem to compete for Roanoke College, Neel has found a new gear. Competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), he has become a reliable scorer for the Maroons. 
During the 2024-25 indoor season, Neel clocked a career-best 8.95 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at the Liberty Kick Off. He followed that performance in the outdoor season by shaving time off his signature event, recording a 15.81-second finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the ODAC Championships.
However, Neel’s most impressive statistics might be found on his transcript. The Business Administration major has maintained the same academic rigor that earned him a spot in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta in high school.
In the spring of 2025, Neel was named to the Roanoke College President’s List, an honor reserved for students maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. His ability to balance athletics and academics earned him a selection to the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, as well as a repeat spot on the ODAC All-Academic Team.
The son of Tim and Debbie Neel, Davis credits much of his discipline to his roots in Dublin. When he isn't clearing hurdles or studying for business exams, Neel is a self-described fan of The Office and The Dark Knight, and remains a loyal supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds. 
As he enters the midpoint of his collegiate career, Neel remains a model of the modern student-athlete: a local standout who took the lessons learned at Pulaski County and used them to clear every obstacle in his path.