Dayton Wolverines Track Club offers scholarships, safe space for local youth

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — As the number of deadly shootings involving young people skyrockets across Dayton, one local organization is making strides towards change.

The Dayton Wolverines Track Club is giving kids the option to run for scholarships instead of running the streets.

Later this month, the club is heading to Junior Olympics.

J’Vonte Barnes, one of more than 160 runners with 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 person in my family to go to college and just to be able to go almost free, basically free — it means a lot to me,” said Barnes. “You know, just trying to set example for the people around me and be a leader.”

The $1,000 scholarship honors a former club member who was fatally shot in 2020 at just 15 years old.

“He died way too early,” said Coach Keith Ways. “And so we have established a scholarship fund.”

Ways said he’s been running the club for more than a decade, hoping to give kids options 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,” said Khamis. “It’s a family. Somewhere where you can feel safe and be ourselves.”

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

“I never thought I’d be going to Junior Olympics and it’s awesome,” said Powers.

“I feel like I wouldn’t have been in this place where I am without them,” added Bibbs.

Coach Ways said the club accepts all ages and doesn’t turn kids away due to money. They also keep the running program going all year.

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

Coach Ways said he loves seeing his runners get what they call ‘the blue wave’ and do well on the track, but he also loves the role the club serves in the kids’ lives. He calls it “beautiful.”

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

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