
Men’s Basketball
In men’s basketball, the Brits took the court twice this week. The first was on Wednesday, Feb. 3, against Calvin College. While the Brits took a 39-24 lead into halftime, the Knights would come storming back to tie the game in the last minute. However, Holland, Mich., senior Dakota Kazen would score a jump shot with 1.1 seconds left and send the Brits home with a 67-66 victory. Flint, Mich., first-year Jaylin Fordham led the team with 19 points.
Fordham was also part of the story on Saturday, Feb. 6, when the Brits traveled to Kalamazoo College to take on the Hornets. In his fourth 20-point game this season, Fordham scored a career-high 27 points and helped Albion achieve an 89-67 victory. Holt, Mich., senior Jordan Herron had eight rebounds and six assists in the win.
The Brits will be back on the court again on Wednesday, Feb. 10, when they host Adrian College at Kresge Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Women’s Basketball
Along with the men’s team, the women’s basketball team played two games. Their first came against nationally ranked Calvin College on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The Brits took a one-point lead into halftime and had the Knights on their heels, but they would be able to mount a second-half comeback and earn a hard-fought 58-53 victory over the Brits. Lisle, Ill., senior Darian Payne notched her tenth double-double with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
The Brits traveled to take on the Alma Scots on Saturday, Feb. 6, in MIAA conference play. The Brits took a commanding 41-26 lead into halftime, and the deficit proved to be too much for the Scots as the Brits took home a 73-59 win. Once again, it was Payne who led the way for Albion; she had 18 points and 11 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season.
The Brits have four games left, and three of them are at home. Their next one will be on Wednesday, Feb. 10, when they host Trine University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
In their final dual meet of the season, the Brits hosted Olivet College at the Dean Aquatic Center on Friday, Feb. 5. Everyone who swam for Albion that day was excellent and helped them achieve a 100-53 victory. Jenison, Mich., senior Mike Crinion scored a lifetime best score of 229.72 on the one-meter dive and 209.77 on the three-meter dive. Marine City, Mich., senior Justin DuChene also achieved a career-best time in the 200 backstroke which was 2:33.72. This was their final meet at Dean Aquatic Center for the seniors, and they left it all in the pool with their performances. Estado de Mexico junior Sebastian Tostado broke the school record in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:53.86, and Livonia, Mich., sophomore Parker Belmore claimed the pool record in the 200 freestyle.
The Brits have the MIAA championships coming up, which will take place from Feb. 17-20 at Calvin College.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
In their final dual meet of the season, the women’s team faced Olivet College, and it was the seniors who stole the show. It started with Milan, Mich., senior Anna Hargrove, who set a pool record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:55.10. Along with a number of other great performances, the Brits were able to defeat Olivet College 119-60. Hargrove also swam with Woodhaven, Mich., senior Lauren Pawelec, East Grand Rapids senior Claire Wittkowski and Allen Park, Mich., senior Haley DeFeyter in the 200 freestyle relay. Pawelec earned first-place points in the 500 freestyle, and Wittkowski scored first-place points in the 200 breaststroke.
Next up for the women are the MIAA championships at Calvin College, Feb. 17-20.
Men’s Track and Field
In their first official meet of 2016, the Brits traveled to Anderson, Ind., for the Anderson University Invitational. The team set many personal records, but Albion came back home with a first-place team finish. Wixom, Mich., sophomore Andrew Strzelecki scored new personal records in both the weight throw and the shot put. Delton, Mich., senior Ryan Watson set a personal record in the 800 meter, and Ann Arbor senior Nick Bertoia had a personal record of 53.81 in the 400 meter.
The team will meet Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College on Friday, Feb. 12.
Women’s Track and Field
In what was also the women’s first meet, the Brits finished just four points out of second place in the Anderson University Invitational. Allegan, Mich., junior Jessica Shaw had a first-place finish in the mile, and Albion, Mich., senior Rhiki Swinton placed first in the triple jump. Clarkston, Mich., junior Maicey Peterson scored a personal record of 9.69 in the 60 hurdles.
Along with the men, the women will compete against Grand Valley State University and Aquinas College on Friday, Feb. 12.
Men’s Tennis
In a non-league meet with Cornerstone University, the Brits were served a 9-0 loss in the Ungrodt Tennis Center on Saturday, Feb. 6. Bloomfield Hills, Mich., sophomore Patrick Barclay and Saginaw, Mich., first-year Nick Kinachtchouk came close to victory, but Cornerstone would deny them and win the match 8-6.
The Brits will stay at home for their next meet when they take on Lawrence Technical University on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
Women’s Tennis
The women also took on Cornerstone University on Saturday, Feb. 6. However, the women out-performed Cornerstone and earned an 8-1 victory. Flushing, Mich., sophomore Olivia Conover defeated her opponent 6-1 and 6-0. Junior Chrissy Gauss also defeated her opponent in decisive fashion, with two 6-1 set wins.
The Brits will be at home again on Saturday, Feb. 13, to take on Wittenberg University.
Photo by Steve Marowski
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