When Bouncing Bulldogs founder Ray Fredrick remembers Kenzie Ruston, one thing in particular comes to his mind.
“The first thing I think about is discipline,” he said. “She used the rope to become the best. At the present time I would say she’s probably thought of as the best all around jumper in the world.”
Ruston was a senior at East Chapel Hill High School. On January 4, the day before her 18th birthday, she died in a plane crash in Wyoming, along with the pilot of the plane.
“She used her craft to connect with people all around the world to make this world a better place, change people’s lives for the better and that’s what I’ll always hold on to.” Fredrick said.
Ruston started jumping rope when she was four years old and was a member of the Bouncing Bulldogs for 13 years, something Fredrick said has only been done by one other person in the 28 years his program has existed.
She was a 7-time Grand National Jump Rope Champion and a 5-time World Jump Rope Champion.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Ruston’s family members in her honor, which will support the Bouncing Bulldogs.
In six days the page has raised nearly $56,000.
“The thing that I personally didn’t realize was the global impact that she had,” Fredrick said. “That has played out in the numerous emails that I’ve gotten from every corner of the world.”
He said one of the leaders of jump rope in Europe came from France to pay his respects.
“She was very big on community service and giving back,” Fredrick said. “That’s what I hope the young people in this community hold on to.”
A service was held for Ruston earlier this week.
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