Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague
 
Chelsea Washington attended a high school in Newark called American History High School, which didn’t offer a varsity track and field team.
 
So Washington had to leave her school every day and trek across New Jersey’s largest city to compete with the track team at Weequahic High School.
 
“At first, it was tough with the transportation,” Washington said. “I had to catch a bus to make it to practice. Sometimes, I got there late.”
 
But Washington never felt out of place at Weequahic.
 
“My teammates at Weequahic are still my best friends,” Washington said. “I fit in pretty well.”
 
It didn’t take long for Washington to choose a college.
 
“I think it was only natural that I went to Rutgers-Newark,” Washington said. “The school offers the major that I’m interested in, public administration. It fit me perfectly. It’s right in the city. It’s perfect for networking. Plus, Coach (Juan) Edney welcomed me. I felt I could be a good asset there.”
 
Edney said that he had an inside track in recruiting Washington. One of the athletes he used to coach at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania was now coaching at Weequahic.
 
“That’s how I found out about Chelsea,” Edney said. “It was ironic.”
 
Once Edney knew that he had secured Washington’s services, he knew he had some work to do. Washington is basically a sprinter that Edney had to develop into a distance runner as well. Everyone in the Rutgers-Newark program has to compete in cross country as well, as a way to get physically prepared for the indoor and outdoor track grind.
 
“She really wasn’t focused as she should be,” Edney said of Washington. “We tell them what they need to do to prepare, but sometimes, they don’t listen. Chelsea wanted to do her own thing.”
 
Washington admitted that she just wasn’t ready for the college track grind.
 
“It was a culture shock kind of thing,” Washington said. “I had to adapt to the environment. I was used to running two laps and now I had to run five miles. I was a little hard headed and had a bit of a big head. I thought I was one of the faster runners and now I had to run all those miles. I thought I could do the same things I did in high school.”
 
It wasn’t that easy.
 
“I had a lot of growing up to do,” Washington said. “I had to fall on my butt a few times to learn.”
 
Edney waited patiently for the light bulb to go off.
 
“She got a little better, but her running was not up to par,” Edney said. “She always had an injury, a hip, her back, her hamstring. I’m also the type of coach to give someone a plan to lift weights or get treatment. I shouldn’t have to be the one standing there and watching if they get it done right.”
 
So the time came for the two to have a meeting of the minds.
 
“I had a long talk with her,” Edney said. “She decided to focus more on track and field and less on other things. She worked hard over the summer and did what she was supposed to do. She did the right thing.”
 
Now, as a junior, Washington has become so dedicated that she is a leader on the team.’
 
“I’m trying to teach the freshmen what to do,” Washington said. “I turned my life around. I love it. I never lost my love for it, but I’m coming to practice with a better, positive mindset. I’m looking forward to indoor and outdoor track, but I can see my performance level and that helps me become a better runner.”
 
“She’s been running some of her best cross country,” Edney said. “She looks stronger. Her body has changed. She has developed more muscle. She can do 30 push-ups now and when she was a freshman, she couldn’t do three. She’s a leader on the team. Each week, she keeps getting better.”
 
Edney said that Washington has been pushed by teammate Dominque Roberts, the former basketball player who is now devoting her efforts full time to track.
 
“I think that helps Chelsea,” Edney said. “Chelsea is much more mature now. She knows she’s running cross country to get in shape for indoor and outdoor, but she’s working hard now. She’s developed muscle and that should help her for the rest of the year.”
 
Edney is pleased with the transformation in Washington.
 
“I can see her making a conscious effort to become better,” Edney said. “It’s like night and day. I hope she can stay healthy, because I don’t want to see all that hard work go to waste.”
 
Washington is working on a double major in public administration and political science. She would like to become a spokesperson for a Congressman.
 
“Or even the President,” Washington said. “I can see myself doing that. That’s the ultimate goal.”
 
For now, Washington will continue to lead the Scarlet Raiders’ track and field team in every facet, even teaching the others the right way to eat.
 
“No greasy, heavy food,” Washington said. “Drinking a lot of water also helps. I have a positive outlook on everything now. I’ve changed my life.”