Spring sports previews, Part One
February 27, 2004by Jake Lloyd
Sports Editor
Men's Tennis
2003 record:10-7, 2-3 in MIAA; 4th in MIAA
Key returnees:
David Swan (Sr., Okemos) – Was second-team all-MIAA last season and will be key contributor and leader this year.
Jason Kimball (Jr., St. John’s) – Made it to the MIAA championship match in doubles last season.
Jason Ryan (Jr., Delton) – The other member of that doubles team will play with Swan, at least early in the year.
Coach’s quote:
“In 2004 it will be time for our upperclassmen to step it up a notch. There have been times when we’ve gotten pushed around a bit out there, and it’s time to start pushing back…get a little tougher. This program is ready to climb a notch or two and it should be fun for all of us to watch it happen,” – Scott Frew
Outlook:
With eight first-year athletes who could make an immediate impact, this team is very deep. Frew has a lot of options as to where he can stick certain players. If the upperclassmen step up their play early and set a precedent for the underclassmen to follow, this team could make significant strides toward improving on last year’s fourth-place finish and setting a foundation for the future.
*Key matches:
The Britons’ toughness will be tested the last three meets of the season when they face Hope, last year’s MIAA champion, at home (April 17), travel to play second-place finisher Kalamazoo (April 21), and finish with the MIAA championship at Kalamazoo (April 23-24).
Women’s tennis
2003 record:19-6, 7-0 in MIAA; won MIAA
Key returnees:
Emily Dumas (Jr., Jackson) – Won the fifth flight singles title last year and finished with a 20-3 record.
Betsy Netherton (So., Glen Arbor); Katie Tornga (So., East Grand Rapids) – Playing in the doubles second flight, this pair was 6-0 in MIAA dual matches last year. Tornga, who was also 17-7 in singles, was first-team all-MIAA and Netherton, who was 16-9 in singles, was second-team.
Amy Esh (So., Whitehall); Karen Dumas (Sr., Jackson) – Posted a 17-5 record as doubles partners last year. Dumas was also 15-5 in fourth flight singles.
Coach’s quote:
“First and foremost we need to recapture the enthusiasm that we had last year. We have an opportunity to be a better team than we were last year.” – Scott Frew
Outlook:
With the loss of just one significant player, this team should contend for a second consecutive MIAA title. The parts are all in place. The Britons just need to go out and play solid tennis.
*Key match: The women open the season Feb. 29 when they host Carthage (Wis.), a tough non-conference foe. Frew emphasizes the importance of taking one match at a time, and this is the start for the Britons.
Men’s track
2003 record:4-1; 2nd in MIAA
Key returnees:
Nick Mockeridge (Sr., Belleville) – Was the MIAA’s most valuable runner last season, competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 5,000.
Nick Morgan (Sr., Flint) – Two-time All-American holds a school record in the 110-meter high hurdles in addition to placing fourth in the event at the national meet. Ivan Meiring (Jr., Quincy) – Was All-American in the discus last year, and also holds school record.
Taurean Wilson (Sr., Albion) – Won the 800 at the MIAA championship last year and was also part of the first-place 4 x 400, 1,600 relay team
Coach’s quote:
“I think we’re going to contend for the MIAA title with Calvin. We have good depth and outstanding individuals that are capable of winning a league title.” – Dave Egnatuk, in his 30th season.
Outlook:
With a strong group of seniors returning to provide leadership, and depth in just about every event, the Britons should give the Knights a run for their money in the MIAA. It could come down to a matter of inches or seconds.
*Key meet:
Besides the obviously important MIAA championship meet at the end of April, the Britons will face their biggest dual meet of the season April 7 when Calvin and Tri-State come to Albion.
Women’s track
2003 record:2-3; tied for 4th in MIAA
Key returnees:
Julie Kamer (Sr., Fort Gratiot) - Was second in the MIAA in the 5,000-meter run last year. Also set a school record in the 5,000 and 10,000.
Kaitlin Van Patten (Jr., Grand Rapids) – Was second in the MIAA in the 400 hurdles last year.
Sarah Enfield (Jr., Williamston) - Placed in the conference meet in both the shot put and javelin.
Amy Corrigan (Sr., Charlotte) - Returns from a year off campus. In 2002 was second in the conference in the 800 and fifth in the discus.
Jaime Fornetti (So., Iron Mountain) – Was fifth in the 400 last season.
Coach’s quote:
“I’m looking forward to the season because we have over 40 athletes and we return all our point scorers from last year’s MIAA championships. In addition, we have some key freshmen, transfers, and returnees from off campus.” – Hayden Smith
Outlook:
With all of last year’s point scorers returning, the Britons seem fit to battle for a conference championship. In his third season as coach, Smith has seen the roster double, giving him depth for almost every event. Distance running should be Albion’s strength, and expect the group of transfers and first-years to step in and make an impact.
*Key meets:
April 10 – vs. Alma and Olivet (at Alma). April 17 - vs. Adrian and Hope (at Adrian). The Britons’ hopes of doing well in the MIAA rest on meets against the league’s toughest competition, Alma and Adrian.
