Dayton Wolverines Track Club offers scholarships and safe spaces for local youth

KaJéza Hawkins and Channing King

34 mins ago

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — As the number of fatal shootings involving young people skyrockets across Dayton, one local organization is making a major effort to bring about change.

The Dayton Wolverines Track Club gives kids the opportunity to run for scholarships instead of on the streets.

Later this month the club will compete in the Junior Olympics.

J’Vonte Barnes, one of over 160 runners in the club, is also one of this year’s recipients of the Qua’Lek Shelton Scholarship.

“It means a lot to me because I’m actually the first in my family to go to college, and to be able to go to college almost for free, basically for free – it means a lot to me,” Barnes said. “You know, I just try to be a role model and a leader to the people around me.”

The $1,000 scholarship honors a former club member who was shot and killed in 2020 at the age of just 15.

“He died far too young,” said coach Keith Ways. “That’s why we set up a scholarship fund.”

Ways said he has been running the club for more than a decade in hopes of giving kids alternatives other than the streets and gun violence.

Israa Khamis, another runner and scholarship recipient, said the club has been a safe haven.

“I would say it’s a safe environment,” Khamis said. “It’s a family. A place where you can feel safe and be yourself.”

Runners like Mack Powers and Trinity Bibbs, who have been with the club for years, said the Wolverines push them to achieve goals they never imagined.

“I never thought I would go to the Junior Olympics, and it’s awesome,” Powers said.

“I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am today without her,” Bibbs added.

Coach Ways said the club accepts all ages and does not turn any children away due to financial reasons, and the running program continues year-round.

“We do this to keep the kids active and off the streets,” he said.

Coach Ways said he loves seeing his runners get the so-called “blue wave” and do well on the track, but he also loves the role the club plays in the kids’ lives. He calls it “beautiful.”

“It’s just a beautiful sight,” Ways said.