Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo Khari Thornton, left, and Chyna Stroud, right, watch Warren Striders coach Jack Thornton Jr. demonstrate some steps for the high jump. View more photos on CU by visiting cu.tribtoday.com

Anthony Davis first stepped on the Deemer Park all-weather track in 1979 when it was a cinder surface. The memories flood back to the 1990 John F. Kennedy football and track standout. It was the place where he met his wife, Erica. But when he and his wife were on the track, they remember the emphatic call of Warren Striders coach Jack Thornton Jr. It still resonates with him today as Davis sees his daughter Sidney participate in the same summer track program. ‘‘Coach Thornton always talks about teamwork,’’ said Anthony Davis of the Striders program that was founded in 1977. ‘‘He was always interested in the youngest kid, who was just beginning, as he was the oldest kid, who was the fastest runner and competed at the national level. He always takes his job very seriously, but then again he has such a heart for the kids. He cheers for every child here. It doesn’t matter if they’re in first place or last place, he’ll be yelling — shouting instructions for them all the way through.