The track and field athletes at SPIRE Academy are consistently achieving impressive accomplishments, further showcasing the team’s reputation as a dominant powerhouse. SPIRE’s Men’s and Women’s 4×400 teams have worked hard and made a strong name for themselves, ranking top in the state in their respective categories. Their continued success makes them a formidable force demonstrating their commitment to SPIRE’s ideal of being the best, both on and off the track.

There’s more to this success story than just numbers and rankings. Consider Branson Ellis, a distinguished post-collegiate athlete currently training at SPIRE in the Elite Athlete Training Program under the guidance of Olympic gold medalist, Tim Mack. Ellis earned special recognition from USATF as a Talent Protection Plan athlete, a prestigious acknowledgment that not only showcases Ellis’ outstanding potential to represent the USA at the upcoming Summer Olympics but also reflects how beneficial it is to receive phenomenal training and mentorship in a well-equipped environment by coaches like Mack, who truly have an athlete’s future and best interest at heart. 

Seasoned professional hammer thrower Denzel Comenentia illustrates another example of athletic excellence – Comenentia has ascended to the 23rd global rank solidifying his status as a formidable competitor on the world stage. Setting him apart is his strong Olympic potential combined with an unrelenting determination to achieve excellence. His dedication is being developed through the Elite Athlete Training Program with the mentorship of SPIRE’s track and field coach and Olympic athlete, Kibwé Johnson.

Comenentia proudly embodies the spirit and strive for greatness that is a defining characteristic of the culture found at SPIRE, and he recently shared, “The program has allowed me to train and compete on an elite level. SPIRE provides the best facilities, nutrition and housing for athletes to perform at a high level. My goal after I graduated college was to pursue my track and field career and compete in the 2024 Olympic Games, the Elite Athlete Training Program has made it possible. In my first year, I improved my personal best and competed at the World Championships in 2023. I think it was very significant because I haven’t thrown a personal best since 2019, but thanks to my coach Kibwé Johnson and the Elite Athlete Training Program, I was able to improve and become an even better athlete.”

SPIRE’s track and field program also boasts a number of outstanding student athletes including Dane Szczepkowski from Madison, OH. As of January 22nd, Szczepkowski is ranked 3rd place in 400m, and 8th in 200m in the state of Ohio. Peyton Wheeler from Pine Knoll Shores, NC ranked 1st in 300m, 4th in 400m. And, Kadia Rock who is ranked 8th in 60m and 1st in the 300m and 400m came to SPIRE from Barbados so that she could be coached by Olympian Kerron Stewart.

Jenna-Marie Thomas, 6th in 60 Hurdles and 3rd in the 400m joined SPIRE just over a year ago, and comes to the program from Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. And, Kelan McCullough, originally from Bryson City, North Carolina, shifted from his previous role as a committed football player and now is a talented decathlete at SPIRE. His innate ability for jumping has propelled him to new heights within track and field. Finally, Yasmeen Roy has emerged as a superstar track and field athlete. She hails from Hawalli Kuwait, where she has a gymnastics background that helped to further develop her strong jumping skill set.

SPIRE Academy boasts a diverse track and field roster, with athletes from all around the globe. This rich blend of cultures and backgrounds highlights the universal appeal of the track and field program, and with such a large number of international student athletes at SPIRE, the school is able to provide a unique melting pot of talent while fostering an environment where individuals regardless of geographical backgrounds all come together to pursue their athletic dreams. From Alessio Mayu Cabanillas Quiroz of Lima, Peru, to Larouche Morley from New Providence, Bahamas and Berta Kondrataite from Vilnius, Lithuania, the team represents a global community of athletes united by their dedication to track and field. This international tapestry of athletes enriches the track and field program while contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community at SPIRE.

Coach Kerron Stewart expresses immense pride in the team’s achievements, attributing their success to a combination of coachability, self-motivation, the right environment and mutual support. Stewart looks forward to witnessing further growth saying, “I am excited to see how much more they will accomplish as they continue to develop and grow. In addition, it is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to coach and mentor such driven student athletes.”

SPIRE’s Track and Field program remains dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, and these achievements underscore the program’s commitment to nurturing talent and achieving success at the highest levels of competition.