Shanntol whips ’em at Nat’l Swim Championships

BRIMMING with confidence and determination, little Shanntol Ince who was born with a deformed  right leg, shocked a field of the country’s best swimmers in the Eight and Under category to win both the 200 metres Individual Medley and 100 metres freestyle events at the recently concluded National Long Course Swimming Championships. For Ince it was the realisation of a dream to be the best despite her physical limitations and to silence, once and for all, the nay-sayers and doubting Thomases who maintained she could not compete with swimmers who had no physical deformities.

“I enjoy swimming because it helps build my confidence and it is fun. Because of how I am, a lot of people sometimes see me as a different person but when I am in the water I feel I can accomplish anything. I thank God for making me who I am and swimming is one way I believe God is going to  use me,” Shanntol said, with a warm smile on her face. Not only did she compete against the country’s best in her age group, Shanntol also proved to have the will to win and possess the heart of a champion by splashing to gold in the two events, which formed part of the championships held from July 16- 18. The talented Claxton Bay swimmer was born with a deformity which left her right leg much shorter than her left. “I really wanted my daughter to live an active, normal life and be involved in some type of sport,” Tracy Ince, mother of the swimming ace, told Newsday. A proud St Paul Ince said his daughter started swimming at age four while attending kindergarten. Under the auspices of her parents and advice from a former coach, Shanntol went on to swim professionally as a team member of the  St Michael’s Stingray Swim Club. Ever since, the trophy cabinet at the Ince home has been burgeoning.

On July 17, Shanntol stunned an appreciative crowd of spectators at the National Long Course Swimming College  Championships held at St Anthony’s swimming pool in Westmoorings, when she whipped the field to take gold in the 100 metre freestyle. The following day she proved her victory in the 100 metre was no fluke by capturing gold in the 200 metres Individual Medley. In addition, Shanntol placed second overall along with fellow clubmate Rebekah Mendoza. Shanntol is the first of three children born to Tracy and St Paul Ince. The proud parents told Newsday the price of success for their firstborn was never too high. “Financially it was hard, but we managed to get by and we intend to continue supporting Shanntol... no matter what,’’ Mrs Ince said. “It is a sacrifice that has to be done,” she continued.

Tracy Ince is a custodian at Claxton Bay Open Bible Church while her husband St Paul is a self- employed fabricator who was formerly employed at Trinidad Cement Ltd. After school and almost like clockwork, Shanntol arrives at the St Michael’s swimming pool in San Fernando to begin training at 4 pm. Training lasts for two hours. Shanntol then goes home where she finishes off her training regimen with some push-ups. She then settles down for homework.  “With God as my mentor, my aim is to become the best swimmer in the world,” Shanntol said as her eyes sparkled. On Saturdays she trains from 8 am until 11 am.  Sundays are spent with the family and at church. “ She pushes herself so hard even though she is tired... sometimes I tell her Shanny you are tired take a rest and she says, ‘no I have to do it,’” Mrs Ince said. President of the club Gary Morales said, “the club has been established for the past five years of which Shanntol has been a member for two and a half years. Shanntol has since demonstrated determination, dedication, commitment and drive which can only be described as professional. She is not daunted by any challenge and is an example of what can happen with the right parental encouragement and support.”

However, swimming is not the only sport in which Shanntol participates. The San Fernando Girls Anglican student is very active in physical education and plays netball. She also dances, sings and is a member of the Brownies Girls. She walks with the aid of a brace, but once Shanntol hits the water, it is almost impossible to see that she is swimming with a deformity. “There isn’t enough support given to disabled persons by Government. There is a need for more support for the disabled in our society, since we do not cater for them. Shanntol is a pioneer and inspiration to others who are in a similar situation,” Morales said.