https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/2021/06/24/poughkeepsie-city-striders-has-18-runners-qualify-aau-regionals/5335413001/

Upstart Poughkeepsie track and field team making strides, reaches AAU regional tournament

Stephen Haynes

Published June 21, 2021, Poughkeepsie Journal
 

It began, simply, as an attempt to fill a void — figuratively, and a literal one.

When Damien Powell moved to LaGrange with his family from Texas a decade ago, he sought to get his son involved in a youth track and field program. Xavier, who was 11 years old then, had developed an affinity for running and competed with a local team in Abilene, so the hope was to continue that in his new hometown.

“We found some really good teams in New York City, but that was too far, and some prominent teams in the Albany area, but that was also too far,” Damien Powell said. “There weren’t many options in and around Dutchess (County). So, we had the idea to start a team.”

A former competitive runner himself, Damien Powell earned coaching certifications in spring 2012 and reached out to anyone in his community who had similar interests.

And so was born the Poughkeepsie City Striders. At the time, it was a collection of seven kids, most of whom had little experience in the sport. And the results reflected that.

Xavier Powell did, however, go on to star as a quarterback for Arlington High School and was a standout on its track and field team. His success, along with word of mouth, helped build interest in the upstart AAU club, Damien Powell said.
 

The program has since grown significantly and now includes 56 competitors, and this spring they’ve enjoyed a breakthrough season. The City Striders excelled at the New York Metropolitan District championships earlier this month and had 18 athletes qualify for a regional tournament that begins Saturday.

“We are ecstatic,” Powell said. “We’ve come such a long way, and these guys are our first group to reach this level. We’re in a difficult district, because our competition includes teams from New York City, so for us to have that many kids advance was incredible.”

Kaelynn Odums, a 13-year-old, is among the headliners after she won the district 3,000 meters in her age group and also qualified to compete in the 800 and 1,500-meter races at the AAU Region 1 qualifier in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Karmiah Rouse, 14, is also a triple qualifier, having earned a berth in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, as did 9-year-old Jordan Powell, who took first in the 200 and long jump, and qualified for the 400. Morgan Watt, 16, won the 100-meter hurdles.

“We lost a lot of races early on before we started making any progress,” Damien Powell said. “But, kudos to the kids. A lot of them stuck with it because they were learning something new and making incremental progress. A lot of the parents started saying, ‘Hey, my kid did this…’ and people got their friends involved, so it started to build.”

Eventually, Leneice Odums and her husband Keith Odums joined as coaches, filling a need as the roster expanded.

Damien Powell also credited his wife, Lauren, as a de facto assistant coach. She often contributes while he juggles the responsibilities of being a pastor and an area manager for Amazon.

The team includes a sprinkling of athletes from throughout the Mid-Hudson, some from as far as Rockland County. Although only five of their runners are from the City of Poughkeepsie, the program is partnered with Poughkeepsie High School, which hosts its practices.

Damien Powell grew up in Dutchess County and ran track at Arlington High School before moving south. He has long believed that there is an abundance of untapped athletic talent in this area. His program, he said, is a nonprofit that doesn't charge families beyond insurance and uniform costs.

“We want to make it accessible to anyone who wants to join,” he said, adding that the team already is gearing up for the winter indoor season. Interested parties can contact them at PCStriders@gmail.com.

Competitors who shine at regionals will advance to the AAU national championships, which begin July 30 in Humble, Texas.

“It’s a little bit of nerves and a lot of excitement,” the coach said of the runners' emotions as they prepare. “We've never been there before, and some nervousness comes with entering uncharted territory. But we’re absolutely glad to have made it this far, and proud to be representing Dutchess.”

Other qualifiers for regionals

Azariah Powell, girls, age 11 – 100 meters; Landon Odums, boys, age 10 – 800 and 1,500; Javen Davis, boys, age 11 – 800 and 1,500; Tah-via Bennermon, girls, age 12 – 100 and 200; Ava Birnbaum, girls, age 12 – 100 and 200; Malani Coward, girls, age 14 – 100 and 400; Jahteek Kimble, boys, age 7 – 100 and 200; Jocelyn Powell, girls, age 17 – 100; Zuri Murray, girls, age 12 – 100, 200 and 400; Tatianna Johnson, girls, age 11 – 400 and 800; Tiana Scott, girls, age 13 – 100 and 200; Ovadiah Rouse, boys, age 10 – 100, 200 and 400; Otis Utz, boys, age 10 – 100 and 400 Alaina Kozak, girls, age 14 – 400

copyright Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4