Inexperienced Ince transitions to life in America

By: Maite De La Rosa

Posted: 10/25/04

When Candace Ince came to Syracuse, she had a cross country scholarship - but no cross country experience.

Ince ran track in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago, where her natural running talent was discovered at the age of 14.

"Having no experience at all," Ince said, "and performing well in the races I participated in surprised me that I could run so well. Immediately, I loved running."

Ince trained differently before coming to Syracuse. She worked on speed instead of running miles, and she had trouble getting used to running mileage.

At first, Ince not only had a problem adjusting to running cross country, but also living in the United States. When she first came to America, Ince was culturally shocked and found people's public speaking ways offensive.

In Trinidad and Tobago, people who swear in public get thrown in jail. When she heard people swearing at each other in America, she thought they were being rude and didn't understand that they were only joking around. She did not understand that it's common for people her age to swear.

She also had difficulty adjusting and getting used to American food.

"It's very oily compared to Trinidad and Tobago food," Ince said.

Ince's biggest struggles came between October and November of 2003, before coming to Syracuse. Ince discovered she had Compartment Syndrome, which involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space, leading to impaired blood flow and nerve damage. Ince had surgery on her shins.

But now, Ince's main goal is to train for the 2008 Olympics.

"It's a dream I have always had," Ince said.

Ince wants to run the 800-meters in less than two minutes and the 1,500-meters in less than 4:10. In order to do this, Ince runs 50 miles a week and lifts weights.

Three other universities offered her scholarships, but Ince came to SU because of Syracuse cross country coach Jay Hartshorn's friendliness and kindness.

Hartshorn saw Ince's running ability through a videotape Ince put together from her previous races.

"I believe in Ince," Hartshorn said. "She's a positive role model not only for me, but for her teammates. She is a happy and caring person who can put smiles on other people's faces. She always asks me how my day went and how I'm doing. She is considerate of others around her, and I believe she is a better runner than she thinks."

Freshman year, Ince finished 13th at the Blue Devil Invitational, placed 28th at the Orange Classic, finished 26th in the Maryland Invitational and finished 103rd in the Big East Championships.

This year, she is expected to place in the top five on SU. Recently, in the annual Albany Cross Country Invitational, Ince came in 69th, but placed 7th on SU.

"I think she is a hard worker," Hartshorn said. "I know she can do better."

In high school, Ince did. She ran track and became a household name. Her senior year of high school, Ince was ranked first in the 1,500-meter (4:45) and second in the 800-meter (2:13) races. Ince was voted Most Improved Athlete in the Memphis Pioneers Track Club in 2002.

Ince ran for the Trinidad and Tobago national team in the Central American Games and Caribbean Games in 2002, when she placed seventh.

"This experience was incredible and one I will remember forever," Ince said. "I loved wearing the actual Trinidad and Tobago uniform and seeing the many fans around me while I ran, which was the most memorable part about running for my country."

Ince's future plans involve becoming a doctor in order to work with underprivileged autistic children.

"I want to open an organization in my country that will help these children," Ince said,

"and I want to show people that do not believe autistic children can learn that they are wrong."

On her free time, Ince enjoys liming - a term that is used in Trinidad and Tobago to refer to hanging out.

"Every time I look at Candace, she is always laughing and there is a smile on her face," said Matt Werder, a junior SU runner and Ince's boyfriend. "What I like about her best is that she's a happy person."