top of page

Here's some news from former QuickStriders Team members

Edit Update: 10/14/2021

Kennedy Dennis


Yesterday was my last day competing as a Division 1 track athlete. I actually don’t know exactly how I feel, but I’m so proud of my growth through this sport. Who would have known that little 7 year old me would be here at this moment celebrating as a graduate and athlete of VIRGINIA TECH. I am so blessed to have received all these opportunities.

This sport has taught me so much about myself that I didn’t know was there. I have so many great memories with some amazing teammates. From the
Quick Striders to Berea to Virginia Tech, I appreciate everyone who has encouraged me, pushed me, and motivated me. None of this would be possible without my very first coaches, Coach Kerns and Coach Kennedy who laid the foundation for me.


I also want to thank all of my other coaches (Coach Thad Trell Rhodan, Stephen D. Redmond, and Coach Vaught) for challenging me to be better and who would I be without my training partners LaSamrae Vandross and Najzae Brown. I love y’all so much! I especially want to thank my day 1 supporter who has always been there to literally every track meet regardless of the circumstance, my mother Katreya Strawther. I can’t express in words the amount of gratitude I have. This has been a long journey and I still can’t believe that I am done running for good. No matter where life takes me, I’m still a track baby at heart. Kennedy out. ✌🏽

 

 

 

Edit Update: 02/06/2017

Kennedy Dennis won the 100-meter dash in the 17-18 women's division at the USATF

Junior Olympic National Championship at California State University - Sacramento, California, July

25th thru 31st, 2016.

 

Kennedy, took first with a time of 11.96 seconds. "This was actually my greatest accomplish,"

Kennedy said. "I've been working for 10 years on this.

 

As a sophomore in high school, Kennedy took first in the state in class AAA in the 100 and 200

meters, May, 2015, she repeated as champion in the 100 and 200 meters and added a victory

in the 400, in 2016.

 

In addition to Kennedy's achievement, the Quickstriders'  8-and-under girls team of Hermoine

Rickenbacker, Erin Washpon, Brionna Boggains and Jalyssa Martin took seventh in the 4x100

relay and earned All-America honors at California State University-Sacramento, California.

 

Kennedy got her start with the Quickstridrs when she was 7 years old.

------- Original message --------
From: Tina Eichelberger 
Date:07/17/2015  
To: rkstartrack@att.net 
Subject: was on the team in the 80's 

Hello, just wanted to say, I was part of this track team in the eighties. I’d never thought I’d say this, but those were the good ole’ days. Coach Kerns make us run the street(hill) that runs off Chick Springs Road. I was in the group with his son, but his son was a couple of years older. The funny thing is, when we used to have to travel, my mother would only send $5. I was soo embarrassed, but Coach Kerns would always have our backs and never complained. He knew we were poor!!. Just wanted to say thank you Coach Kerns for all the discipline that you taught us and all the patience you had. Your wife and daughter also traveled with the team. I love this team, you guys rock, STILL!!! I have been a police officer for 19 years, I spent 16 years in Greenville County, I am also the owner of DD&T Real Estate Investors and Mattilyn Marie’s Luxury Nail Spa located in Williamston, SC. 


Tina Eichelberger
DD&T Real Estate Investors, LLC

 

 

QuickStriders News:

 

2015 College Graduates

 

 

Christina Davis - Coastal Carolina University

 

Rudy Durham - Coastal Carolina University

 

Robert Lipscomb - Coastal Carolina University

 

Antavia Owens - South Carolina State University

 

Jemekia Wilson - University of South Carolina

 

 

In other News:

 

Kennedy Davis won the Class 3A Championship in the 100 meters and 200 meters

dash at Spring Valley High School, Saturday, May 16, 2015

 

"This is mind-blowing," Dennis said shortly after taking the podium as the champion in the 200 meters. "I didn't even think I was going to do this good today."

 

She admitted she'd come a long way. Dennis thought back to her start with the QuickStriders when she was 7 years old.

 

"It was a big jump for me," Dennis said. "I had to work real hard. I was really slow back then, but I knew I could do it" 

 

"When I wasn't winning, I was really down about that, and my coaches really picked me up. They were like, 'Maybe you don't have it right now, but in the future we think that you'll be great." They really helped to motivate me. "Because I'm really determined, and so I don't quit anything." 

 

This year, Dennis won both events just about everywhere she went.

Regardless of the setting and the competition, Dennis said mental approach make the difference. "There's a lot of pressure," she said, "but you have to have the mindset that you're the best and nobody else can beat you."

 

Kennedy Dennis also finishes in 8th Place in the 100 meters at this years National Junior Olympics in Jacksonville, Florida, August 2, 2015

 

 

LaSamrae Vandross won Class 1A Championship in the 200 meters ans the 400 meters dashes at Spring Valley High School, May 16, 2015. She has signed to continue her track career at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

 

LaSamrae has earned numerous Upper State Championships and All-Region and All-State Honors. She has been a member of the QuickStriders Track Club since 2007. She has participated in many USA Track and Field Championship meets.

 

 

Khaya Hunt finish 1st in the Shot Put event for the 8 year old division at the National Junior Olympics in Jacksonville, Florida, July 31, 2015

 

 

Congratulations to Coach Bernie Jones. Coach Jones was voted
2015 USATF Association Volunteer of the Year.

 

 

Look for more news in the upcoming 2015 - 2016 season...

 

 

 

QuickStriders 2014 College Graduates

 

 

Ashley Davis - Coastal Carolina University

 

Briana Nelson - University of Texas

 

Jasmin Stowers - (LSU) Louisiana State University

 

 

bottom of page