Quintella Dollard has been running track at Johnsonville High School for the past three years, but many believe her next four at North Greenville University will be what she is remembered for.
On Wednesday, July 20, Dollard signed a letter of intent to run track at North Greenville University and become a part of the school’s burgeoning track program as one of their first signees.
Johnsonville High School Principal and girls track and field coach Stevie Phillips said that Michael Bayne, the head coach of the North Greenville Women’s track program zeroed in on Dollard and realized she could be the jumpstart the program is looking for.
“She was really one of his main targets as he was starting the program,” Phillips said. “They have really gone above and beyond trying to get Quintella up there. She’s probably the only full-scholarship athlete up there on the track team.”
Although he’s looking forward to seeing what Dollard can do on the next level, Phillips admits that finding another student athlete that works both as hard on the field of competition as well as in the classroom will not be easy.
Since Dollard has arrived at the school, Phillips has seen her grow not only as an athlete, but as a student as well.
“I can say that since she’s been here in the tenth grade… her grades have drastically improved,” Phillips said. “I’m excited for her because that’s what high school sports are all about. They’re called student athletes and that’s what Quintella represents.”
Dollard, who posted a one minute and 5.23 second time in the 400 meter hurdles, along with a 15.01 second time in the 100 meter hurdles – both school records, has received an athletic scholarship to run at North Greenville University, but said she will not forget her times with her friends and teammates in high school.
“I always enjoyed coming in first place, being with my friends and winning state,” she said. “I also liked being able to be with my friends at practice…”
As she departs Johnsonville High School as one of its most decorated athletes, Dollard said she knows there will be challenges ahead.
“It feels good, but I know that I’m going to work even harder in college to win,” Dollard said. “I know there’s going to be a lot more competition.”
While Dollard may be more an exception than a rule, Phillips hopes that other students can follow her lead and follow through on not just the athletic aspect, but focus on the academic facet of the student athlete paradigm.
“She did really well in school and that’s a key for these kids to go on,” Phillips said. “There’s so many kids that come through and don’t get that academic part out of the way and they don’t get the same opportunities.”
Dollard marks the fourth athlete to sign a letter of intent to play a sport in college as Savanah Gaster, E.J. Davis and Davonta Brown also signed with colleges.
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