Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Ryan Vance always knew that he was going to attend Rutgers University. After all, Vance has six people in his family and five of those went to Rutgers.

“We’re a Rutgers family,” Vance said. “Rutgers is something that I simply grew up with. We’d go to football and basketball games all the time. I had hats, sweatshirts, banners. I was always connected with Rutgers.”

So when the time came for Vance to choose a college after graduating from North Hunterdon High School last June, the decision wasn’t hard.

“I knew I didn’t want to go anywhere else except Rutgers,” Vance said. “I was sold on going to Rutgers. When I went to apply online, it said to check the box of which campus I wanted to go to. I didn’t even know there were any other campuses, other than New Brunswick. So I checked all three, New Brunswick, Camden and Newark.”

When Vance started to receive his acceptance letters, he was accepted into Camden, but was put on the waiting list for New Brunswick.

Then, the letter of acceptance from Rutgers-Newark arrived at the Vance household in Clinton.

“I said, `Why not?’” Vance said. “Newark was a little closer to home and I liked the idea of living in the city. I loved the city and the urban environment. I couldn’t be happier.”

Plus, coming to Rutgers-Newark also provided Vance with one other plus.

“I knew I wanted to run in college,” Vance said. “If I got into Rutgers-New Brunswick, I never would have had a chance to run. So it all worked out for the best.”

R-N head cross country and track and field coach Juan Edney liked the idea that Vance was joining his team, especially since Vance was coming from such an established and respected track program.

“Every time I saw Ryan, he was always so gung-ho, so energetic,” Edney said. “I knew that he came from North Hunterdon, so that was a plus. But he was so into it. He was so excited to be a part of our summer workouts. That’s the kind of kid I love to have. I knew he had some experience, but I also liked his energy.”

Edney thought that there might be a problem with Vance, because he’s basically a distance runner in a sprinter’s frame.

“He’s sort of a muscular kid, so I had to keep him away from the weight room,” Edney said.

“I’ve always been muscular,” Vance said. “I tried sprinting, but I never had any luck. I always wanted to be a sprinter, but I wasn’t quick enough.”

Vance said that while he was at North Hunterdon, he ran in the shadows of two other more talented runners.

“They got a lot more recognition than I did,” Vance said. “I liked coming to a program where I could get more recognition. I already feel that way with the coaches. Coach Edney really does a great job pushing us and Kevin Scola is a fantastic coach who has helped with my training. I’m really lucky to be a part of the program. It’s been a blast.”

“Ryan has been a pleasant surprise,” Edney said. “He’s basically become our No. 3 runner. He’s really put a spark to us and helped us win our first cross country meet ever (the Belmont Classic at Cabrini College outside Philadelphia a few weeks ago). He’s really been a joy to coach. He’s a coach’s dream. He works hard all the time and never has an excuse for anything. He’s put in all the time in the tough workouts on the hills and he kills everyone.”

Edney also likes Vance’s approach.

“He’s really come in and changed the attitude of the team,” Edney said. “He’s a bit of a jokester. He’s always having a good time. But when the time comes to go out there and work hard, he does that as well. He’s changed the whole attitude of the team. Everyone else sees how hard the kid works and they do it as well.”

Vance said that he’s running at his maximum right now, all due to the hard work.

“I’ve never felt stronger in my life,” Vance said. “I think it’s all because of Kevin Scola’s workouts. I do high mileage and it’s worked out great.”

Vance is absolutely thrilled to be on the Newark campus. Sure, he’s Rutgers, through and through, but he’s excited to be a Scarlet Raider instead of a Scarlet Knight.

“My Dad was a member of the heavyweight crew team at Rutgers in New Brunswick and he said that there was nothing like being on a team in college,” Vance said. “I instantly became identified with the track team, a special group of guys. I was on the campus three days and I already had 30 friends because of track. It’s been wonderful. I can’t ask for more.”

Vance is currently undecided about a major. He might want to explore sports medicine in the future.

“I think it all depends on how things turn out,” Vance said.

So far, things have turned out pretty well for the guy who didn’t even know Rutgers-Newark existed a year ago.

“Ryan has great potential,” Edney said. “Because of his hard work and desire, he can really go a long way.”

Which is a way that most successful distance runners should go.