Running runs in this family
For 9-year old Jais Ward, running is a matter of genetics and family tradition.
A fourth-grader enrolled in the Escolares Academy at Harbison West Elementary, Ward is considered a top runner nationally after placing sixth at this year’s USA Track & Field Junior Olympics in the 800-meter race.
She’s running in the footsteps of her mother, Bunnie Ward, a former All-American runner, and her grandmother, Catherine Lempesis, a South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame member and longtime track and cross country coach.
“I just like running because it helps get my energy out, and I get to be with my friends. My mom and grandmother also run. So, I wanted to do it to be like them and have that experience,” Jais Ward said.
A soccer player and former gymnast, Jais started running in 2014 at The Storm Track Club of Irmo/Chapin after she saw other kids practicing. Although she is relatively new to track, Ward runs like a veteran. This year, she set a South Carolina state record for the 800-meter race when she won first place at the 2015 USA Track & Field South Carolina Association Junior Olympic Championship.
“Running definitely runs in the family for the women on my mom’s side,” said Bunnie Ward. “My mom was my coach until I went to Harvard. I ran cross country and track at Spring Valley High School. In seventh grade, I placed third in the state in cross country and in 8th grade, I won the state in cross country.”
With the help of Lempesis — her grandmother and volunteer coach, Jais was able to outrun girls twice her size at the nationals this year.
Lempesis, an accomplished runner herself, finished eighth in the Boston Marathon (Masters Division) in 1992 and has held the South Carolina record of 1:21.14 for the half marathon in her age group. As a coach, Lempesis makes sure that her granddaughter, at 4-feet-10 and 64 pounds, stays relaxed before her big races.
“Before every race she tells me to be strong, fast, light, and quick and to make them remember my name,” Jais said.
Lempesis says she is very fortunate to coach Jais and knew she would excel at sports from an early age.
“I never dreamed I would get the chance to coach my own granddaughter,” Lempesis said. “At the age of 2, I knew Jais was going to be very athletic. She was always jumping off counters in the kitchen, so we put her in gymnastics to start.”
Along with Lempesis, Doug Kotti, coach of the Storm Track Club, has made a huge impact on Jais Ward’s track abilities. Kotti, a cancer survivor, inspired Ward to run the 800, her best event.
“Jais wanted to run sprints because in her words ‘they were shorter’… I got down on one knee looked her in the eyes and asked her to run the 800. Just try it. After she qualified for the 800 finals at nationals, she called me and said, ‘Coach, I want to thank you for asking me to run the 800. I’m going to dedicate this race to you.’ That’s the type of kid she is,” Kotti said.
Kotti has been very successful coaching the Storm, with several runners winning state races and a few advancing to Nationals. However, he admits there is something about Jais that separates her from other runners.
“People who excel at sports, or at anything, have three main traits in common,” said Kotti. “They have to have natural ability, they have to have unbelievable determination and work ethic, and they have to have intelligence. Jais has the trifecta, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she can excel. She’s special.”
With the help of her coaches, Jais looks to improve this year. She plans to continue running cross country and playing Academy soccer this fall. She also has big goals for track in the spring, aspiring to make it to nationals again.
In addition to striving for personal success, Jais wants to inspire other kids to achieve their goals.
“If you want to do something, but you think you’re not good enough for it, just go ahead and do it to get the experience,” said Jais, who wants to be a doctor and professional athlete. “Try it, and see where it takes you.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2015 at 9:00 PM.