Gene Haynie 

      With his back turned to Gene Haynie, Haynie leaps forward viciously with the intent to land a charging strike to the back of his sensi’s head, only for him to blink and have the grown man disappear below the aim his punch. Have you ever been kicked so hard that your body has skipped across the floor? For Haynie, this was a very special occasion. This was the sparring game that entailed all the students attempting to land a single strike on the Sensi. This game was only played after belt awarding ceremonies, and then only. Though to understand where this joy was originally catalyzed from in Haynie’s life, the story takes on an adverse beginning. As early as first grade, Haynie remembers being bullied by the older kids at his summer daycare for being in boy scouts, and that was what it took to sign up for karate lessons. Naturally as any ADHD riddled child would, Haynie loved karate; and would continue up all the way until the 6th grade, and only one rank shy of his black belt. That was until the dojo tragically closed; leaving Haynie without his one release. Next was the annual tryouts for the football team, and Haynie was yet again cut. Growing tired of his failures and going unnoticed by the football coaches. Haynie made the decision to try out for the wrestling team that winter following the fall sports season; to his surprise he made the team. Haynie saw wrestling as a second chance and opportunity to continue in the line of sports that he was successful at. He earned a four-year varsity award, Virginia All-State wrestling status, and earned a spot on the Virginia National Team. While finding success within his athletics he also found early strides of accomplishment in PR within his Boy Scout troop. Being known for his charismatic contributions during meetings; he earned the nickname “Mr. Senator” amongst his superiors. As being a troop scribe and Senior Patrol Leader for many years, as well as earning his communications merit badge. Which taught the history of the field’s pioneers, and to use Adobe software at an early age. Not to mention, all while earning his Eagle Scout Award in December of 2014. Today Haynie is currently in line for applying to a summer internship at Altria, to make one of the last strides to graduate from the Robinson School of Media and Culture.  Though much like his school career, Haynie’s career with combat sports is far from over, as he still knows that one last stride to earn his black waiting is waiting to be made.