Welcome back from winter break Brits! While most of us were home with our families, some of the Britons’ Athletic teams were still on campus and competing hard. Most of the Albion College student body returned this past week, and the Brits were still in action as classes began for the spring semester of 2016
Men’s Basketball
Over break, the men’s basketball team compiled a 4-5 record over break, including a three-game win streak, in which they defeated Calvin College, Kalamazoo College and Adrian College.
The Brits were on the court twice to take on conference rivals Olivet College and Alma College. On Jan. 20, the Brits were in Olivet to take on the Comets, and things were looking good at the half as Albion led 30-26. However, the Comets would come soaring back to overcome a five-point deficit and defeat the Brits’ 67-62. Flint, Mich., first-year guard Jaylin Fordham led the team with 21 points in his second 20-point game of the season. Holland, Mich., senior guard Dakota Kazen added 17 points as well.
This past Saturday, the Brits traveled to Alma College where they would face the Scots who are ranked 21st in Division III. Once again, the Brits would take a lead into halftime, but it wouldn’t hold at the end of the game. Alma went on a 9-2 scoring run and defeated the Brits 75-64. Holt, Mich., forward Jordan Herron had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.
With the two tough losses this past weekend, the Brits are now 8-9 on the season and 3-3 against MIAA rivals. They will host Trine University on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Women’s Basketball
This past Christmas break, the women’s basketball team also matched the men’s record of 4-5. Their four wins came against University of Michigan-Dearborn, University of Redlands (Calif.), Alma College and Adrian College.
Coming off of a win against Adrian College, the Brits traveled to St. Mary’s College (Ind.), looking to win two in a row. The MIAA rivals were tied at 30 at halftime, but the Brits would outscore St. Mary’s 21-6 in the third quarter and gain a 62-54 victory. Lansing first-year Jay Bard matched her career-high with 18 points, and Lisle, Ill. senior Darian Payne earned her ninth double-double of the season with 17 rebounds and 11 points.
After a big conference win against St. Mary’s, the Brits were on the road once again to take on Illinois Institute of Technology. The Brits were ready this past Saturday, and the scoreboard showed that — outscoring the Hawks in every quarter, the Brits amassed a 101-32 victory. This was the first time that the Brits have scored triple digits since a 106-100 victory over Tri-State University on Jan. 28, 2005. Wyandotte, Mich. junior Emily Zgoda led the way with 17 points, but it was a team effort that led them to victory, as the Brits had 14 different players score in the win.
The Brits currently have a three-game winning streak and will look to add to it when they travel to Kalamazoo College on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Men’s Swimming
The men’s swim and dive team competed in two meets over Christmas break. The first was at Saginaw Valley State University, and the Brits came up just short, losing 159-141. This continued in their meet against Calvin College, in which the Brits fell 158-139.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Brits hosted the Hope Flying Dutchmen at the Dean Aquatic Center. With first place finishes in five of the first seven events, the Brits were able to secure a 181-119 victory. Chelsea, Mich., first-year diver Jake Burris and Marshall, Mich., first-year diver Henry Swett and scored first and second in both diving events. Burris finished with a school record of 340.55, and Swett finished right behind him in second with 309.15.
Albion also finished first, second and third in the 200-yard breaststroke. Lima, Peru first-year Gerardo Huidobro was the first place finisher. Following him was Naperville, Ill., sophomore Lucas Harder and Dearborn, Mich., first-year Hunter Jackman.
The Brits will travel to Olivet College on Saturday, Jan. 30, where they will face the College of Wooster, as well as the Olivet Comets.
Women’s Swimming
Just as the men’s swim team, the women’s team would fall just short of two wins over Christmas break, losing to Saginaw Valley State University and Calvin College.
The women’s swim and dive team were also in the pool against Hope College on Saturday, Jan. 23, but their fate would not be as good as the men’s team. Hope was able to defeat Albion 163-137, but the Brits had highlight performances from Battle Creek, Mich., first-year Anna Moore and Milan, Mich., senior Anna Hargrove.
Moore can now say that she holds a pool record in the 200-yard backstroke, which she achieved with a time of 2:09.10. She also had a first place finish in the 100 backstroke and led the team in the winning 200 medley relay. Hargrove finished first in the 100 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200 individual medley.
The women will travel to Olivet College on Jan. 30, to take on the Comets, as well as the College of Wooster.
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