Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague
 
When Samantha Renfree first enrolled at Rutgers-Newark last September, she really didn’t have any hopes or aspirations at all of being a student-athlete.
 
Renfree was simply content on being a college student, first and foremost.
 
“I had to adapt,” Renfree said. “It did take me a little while. It was all a little intimidating.”
 
But after Renfree got accustomed to student life at R-N and met some of her fellow classmates.
 
“I think that’s what changed my mind,” Renfree said. “I realized that I needed sports in my life. I might as well try to be the part of a team.”
 
As it turned out, Renfree should eventually become part of two different teams at Rutgers-Newark.
 
Renfree was a runner and javelin thrower at Edison High School, so upon the encouragement of other track and field athletes, Renfree approached R-N track and field coach Juan Edney about the possibility of participating in track.
 
“She wanted to join, but she was a little behind everyone else,” Edney said. “She was having a tough time transitioning into college. She was nervous about doing her schoolwork. Everyone else was already lifting and training.”
 
But when Edney saw Renfree’s pure athleticism, he knew that Renfree could evolve into a quality javelin thrower.
 
“She’s one hell of an athlete,” Edney said. “She also has a great personality. Eventually, she came ready to throw. She was focused and ready. We knew from the beginning that she had talent. I just didn’t know how long it would take for the talent to come out.”
 
Renfree said that Edney’s patience went a long way in her development as a thrower.
 
“He’s a huge motivator for me,” Renfree said of Edney. “I didn’t expect to have any success. But his program allowed me to become successful.”
 
Renfree has become more than just an average javelin thrower. She qualified for this weekend’s ECAC Championships, a major accomplishment as a freshman.
 
“She has been throwing real well,” Edney said. “She’s progressing nicely and getting better every week. She really has become a find. She’s a real gem. I really think she could eventually qualify for the (NCAA Division III) nationals.”
 
Renfree likes the confidence that Edney has in her and fellow javelin thrower and teammate Mercedes Glover.
 
“I would like to think it’s a possibility,” Renfree said of the nationals. “It’s something I would like to thrive for. It’s something I really want to do, something I can set my sights on.”
 
Edney is convinced that Renfree could eventually throw in the 160-foot range.
 
“I think the best thing she has is having Mercedes still around,” Edney said. “The two of them push each other. Mercedes is throwing better than ever and I give a lot of the credit to that to Samantha. Most competitive people don’t want a freshman coming in and doing well right away. When you see a freshman coming in and looking this good, you hope she’s with us for another three years. She made the ECAC this year. Let’s see now if she can make the nationals. I think there’s a chance.
 
Added Edney, “I think the pressure of Sam can make Mercedes throw better. And she’s throwing better.”
 
Renfree’s life just got a whole lot busier, because two weeks ago, she decided to play on the Rutgers-Newark women’s volleyball team as well in the fall.
 
“I started practicing a little with the other girls on the volleyball team,” Renfree said. “I think playing volleyball is something I didn’t think I could do in college. I wanted to see how I handled track. After meeting the girls on the volleyball team, I figured I could give it a try.”
 
So Renfree, the reluctant athlete in August, is now going to be a part of two totally different varsity teams at Rutgers-Newark, track and field along with volleyball.
 
“It’s been a little rough, practicing the two sports,” Renfree said. “I talked to Edney and he said, ‘As long as you can handle it, you should go for it.’ Playing volleyball just gives me one more structure to deal with. I will have only certain times to do anything.”
 
Renfree plans on majoring in psychology, but has yet to officially declare a major.
 
“Psychology has always interested me,” Renfree said. “I love being able to focus on the mind.”
 
Edney loves Renfree’s pure athleticism.
 
“The sky’s the limit,” Edney said. “Her technique needs a little work, but once she hits the weight room and adds some strength, she could really top 160 (feet). That is, if she stays the course and works hard. But I think she’s very dedicated. She’s been a pleasant surprise.”
 
No one is more surprised that the reluctant athlete herself.
 
“I never expected any of this to happen,” Renfree said. “At first, I just wanted to be part of the team.”
 
Now, Renfree is more than just a spare part. She’s a key cog, a big wheel, with a very bright future.