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Leaving Her Mark
April 29, 2008
by Jeff Smith Leah Kincaid would rather leave a mark as a friend than leave one in a record book. As a fifth-year senior on the Purdue women's track and field team, she has managed to do both. It's safe to say that regardless of what team you run for or what event you are entered in, if Kincaid runs into you during a track meet, she is going to become your new friend. To put it simply, giving is in her blood, giving back is in her future, and giving it all is something she has done in West Lafayette for the past five years. Kincaid is just one of those student-athletes you find yourself cheering for, regardless of your team alliance. "Leah is one of the easiest people to talk to," said Boilermaker head coach Jack Warner. "You'll go to a lot of competitions and think everyone is her best buddy." A youth, adult and family services major, Kincaid has always focused on getting the best out of people. Ironically, that is what a coach like Warner looks to do each season, but Kincaid has been an easy one to mentor over the years. Warner says her approach to the sport leaves most people genuinely rooting for her. "Some athletes develop serious mindsets when competing, but you just don't see that with Leah," he said. "She loves to communicate with people and know how they are doing. That's in line with her major. She is used to talking to people and always there to help." In addition to serving as a full-time student and a three-event standout on the track, Kincaid holds a part-time job and an internship that facilitates a requirement for her major. Three days out of the week she works with adults who suffer from learning disabilities, while supervising kids aged five through 12 at a daycare during the other two days. That schedule leaves her the weekend, which she has used over the years to become the school's record holder in both the 60-meter (8.31 seconds) and 100-meter hurdles (13.27) and the long jump. Her personal best during this past indoor season was measured at 6.18 meters (20'-3.5"), while her outdoor record was reached last weekend at the Penn Relays, winning the Championship of America long jump with a leap of 6.33 meters (20'-9.25"). In fact, she earned All-America honors last year at the NCAA Outdoor Championship when she finished ninth at a distance of 6.18 meters (20'-3.5").
But all these school records have also come with disappointment as well. In 11 events over the past two years, Kincaid has scored at the Big Ten Championships, medaled on three occasions, but has yet to capture a conference title. She placed second in the long jump at last year's Big Ten outdoor meet, took third in the event at the 2007 indoor championships and third in the 60-meter hurdles during the 2006 indoor campaign. Kincaid admits she can step back and be proud of the mark she has left on the program, but is far from satisfied due to the lack of a Big Ten crown. "I'm excited about a lot of things that I have accomplished over my career," she said. "The records mean something, but I have yet to win a Big Ten title." Kincaid will get her final chance at the 2008 conference meet, which will be held at Illinois, May 16-18. "If things are right and it's meant to be, it will solidify everything I have done here," Kincaid said of the thought of winning a conference championship. And while Warner points out that individual titles are the last thing his "team player" is focused on, he admits that the staff is focused on preparing her to win her first conference event. "She is going to leave here a school record holder in three events and she just won the Championship of America at the Penn Relays last weekend, so now all we are looking for is getting her that first Big Ten title," Warner said. "That one has continued to elude her." One of the attributes that continues to impress Warner is the fact that Kincaid, unlike any other athlete he has coached, can handle setbacks in a mature manner. Since her sophomore season in high school, the Springfield, Ill., native as been hampered by a knee injury and was forced to redshirt her freshman year after dislocating her shoulder twice in a span of three days. Add in the missed opportunities at the conference meets and it's a wonder how she remains upbeat. "She internalizes a lot of things," Warner said. "She tries to set herself up so the next time she succeeds. When she gets back on campus, she says, 'Coach, let's get back to work.'" Kincaid is always working. If she is not studying or competing, she is working on building relationships in the community. She says it is important for her to stay involved and admits she was probably busier in high school when it came to serving school and church organizations. "I just like working with people and love working with kids," she said. "To be able to work with children, you have to be able to work with people around children, including teachers and parents." Graduate school is in the future for the Boilermaker standout, as she has hopes of obtaining her Masters degree in social work or the fields of American family therapy or school counseling. Warner would like to see his talented jumper capture a Big Ten ring before her career is up, pointing out that with her past injuries, her track career will most likely end at the college level. But he also says that regardless of whether or not she wins at the conference meet, Kincaid's legacy at Purdue has already made an impact on her teammates. "The good thing is when you have a situation like hers, as a coach I can always look back and say, 'Hey, remember when Leah was having this issue? Look how she dealt with it.'" Case in point was last weekend at the Penn Relays when Warner did just that with a struggling long jumper on the men's side. "Obviously if she gets that Big Ten ring on her finger, that will improve her legacy," Warner said. "But when future athletes look back and see what Leah did on a daily basis, they will see that she led by example and never gave up." Kincaid is confident that she is prepared for the final weeks of her collegiate career. She says her times have dropped nearly every race in the hurdles, she feels stronger and faster, and her recent personal best in the long jump provided a boost in confidence. What remains to be seen is if Kincaid's career will conclude with Big Ten glory. If it happens, great, she says. But she also knows from last year's All-American performance at nationals that she is among the nation's elite. To some degree, that is enough for her. So while we are weeks away from learning if Kincaid will earn that elusive Big Ten title, rest assured that one outcome is already known. A new friend will be made. Something, in the eyes of Kincaid, will always be more valuable than a medal or ring. |
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