The MIAA Jamboree was a great day for the Albion College track teams. For the first time, the teams were competing on the newly resurfaced Elkin Isaac Track. The Britons had a strong showing, with the men finishing third and the women finishing fifth.
However, the team now has to look forward. Next weekend at Calvin College, the teams will compete in the MIAA Field Day. That meet will decide the conference champions.
The Britons had many significant individual performances at the Jamboree. The Britons had two MIAA Athletes of the Week following the meet, one in Men’s Track and one in Women’s Field.
In Men’s Track, Javaunte Mackson, Belleville First Year, won the award, recording the Albion men’s only event wins of the day, in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. An impressive performance was also turned in at the Jamboree by Zach Cooper, Portland sophomore, who came in second place in both the 110 and 400-meter hurdles.
The MIAA Athlete of the Week in Women’s Field was Chelsea Anthony, Ludington senior, who won both the Hammer Throw and the Discus. The Briton women won a third event, with Kristen Nelson, Iron Mountain junior, winning the long jump.
This is also the first Jamboree since the combination of the men’s and women’s team. While this change doesn’t effect meets directly, coach Lance Coleman has seen an important change. “You used to not have the teams cheering as much for each other,” Coleman said. “Now you go to a meet and they’re rocking and rolling cheering for each other.”
“Its no longer Women’s and Men’s, its just Track and Field,” Coleman said.
That attitude is important going into the final week of practice, and though this will be a busy week for any student, the team can’t afford distractions. “This is a tough week keeping the mental focus.” Coleman said. “Fortunately, we’re at a point where we’re mostly where we need to be physically.”
That focus will be derived from Albion’s seniors, competing in their final MIAA match at the Field Day. “First years don’t quite understand it, so mentally they’re not quite where they need to be.” Coleman said. “Seniors have been good about saying ‘Hey, we need to increase intensity in practice today.’ They’ve been good about that.”
The Field Day will present challenges for the teams, but Coleman has confidence in his teams, and knows what needs to happen for victory. “We need to continue good attitudes about competing,” Coleman said. “About getting out and defeating someone in the opposite color singlet.”
If the attitude is there, the Britons final meet should be a success.
Photo Courtesy of Albion College Sports Information
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