At first, Syracuse’s Eunice Boateng didn’t realize she could take her sprinting career to the next level. She knew she had natural ability, but didn’t think putting in the training would be worth it.

“It was my high school coach who told me like, ‘You have a lot of talent, I don’t understand why you’re wasting it,’” Boateng recalls. “I kind of had to rely on others to let me know what potential I had. Honestly, I didn’t realize it myself.”

Upon arriving on campus in January, the freshman’s performance has foreshadowed a bright future. Boateng won the 60-meter dash at the Dr. Sander Invitational Armory Challenge on Jan. 26 with a time of 7.53 seconds. On Feb. 3, she placed third in the 200-meter dash at the Boston University Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational.

SU assistant coach Dave Hegland, who works specifically with sprinters, said he has been impressed so far, especially considering Boateng is a mid-year enrollee and had to adjust quickly.

“I think that’s sometimes a tough spot for somebody to be in,” he said. “She’s adjusted really well. I’ve been very impressed by her maturity and she’s had some great performances.”

Boateng, from Ajax, Ontario, is one of four Canadian female runners Syracuse has on the roster this season. Bowerman Watch List candidate Justyn Knight is the lone Canadian on the men’s side.

Hegland said Toronto is usually a good area for Syracuse to gain recruits.

“Obviously it’s pretty close for us,” he said. “If (Canadian runners) want to come to the NCAA, Syracuse is probably the closest Power-5 option for them.”

Boateng had previously committed to the University of Windsor in Canada before looking into better opportunities that arose, part of the reason she joined Syracuse late. Boateng cited other Canadian runners such as Tia Thevenin and Ebhani Blackwood as reasons Syracuse caught her attention.

“I was like OK, some Canadians are coming here,’” she said. “Especially the people who are really well-known and high-ranked in Canada. Then it must be a good school.”

Boateng also said track does not get as much attention north of the border where sports aren’t as well funded. She felt she needed to change her environment in order to become a better runner.

Despite not seeing her own potential in high school, Boateng’s drive and desire to do well now helps her stand out, Hegland said.

“Her work ethic is really great,” fellow sprinter Kadejhia Sellers said. “She’s just a great athlete overall. She’s well-rounded.”

Adjusting to a completely new atmosphere has been difficult, Boateng said, but the team has guided her. She said older teammates, like Sellers, are people she has turned to for help along with her coaches.

Getting a chance to run in the 2017 Pan American U20 Championships last July helped Boateng realize what she could become. She finished sixth in the 100-meter dash and won a bronze medal in the 4×100 relay. And Boateng thinks the race is one of the reasons she was recruited by SU.

“It was a really fun experience,” Boateng said. “You meet a lot of different people and you kind of get to know yourself better. You kind of see that you’re not different than everybody else who is high-ranked, doing well, like you could get on that level if you really work hard.”

Published on February 13, 2018 at 10:22 pm

Contact Eric: estorms@syr.edu