The 2006-2007 season was a record setting one for Albion College’s canoe club.

On Sept. 26, 2006, the club became the first college relay team to win the Great Outdoorsman’s Triathlon. Now, the team looks to continue its record-setting ways by winning the first-ever Collegiate Nationals in canoeing at Fredericksburg, Va.

The Albion College canoe club stayed in practice by competing in the Red Moshannon Canoe Race in Bellefonte, Pa. on March 31. The club won almost every event it entered.

The Britons entered the open men and women’s race, a seven-mile whitewater race. Albion swept the men’s open, taking first, second and third place. The successes at the Red Moshannon Race and the Great Outdoorsman’s Triathlon serve as a major confidence booster for the club.

"We have high hopes for the Albion team," said Zakk Havens, Albion first-year and member of the winning triathlon team.

The Great Outdoorsman’s Triathlon tested the team in three events: a mile swim, a four-mile run and an eight-mile paddle.

"I feel that we have more experience than any of the other colleges who are competing and that we can win the nationals this year," Zakk Havens said.

The type of competition at nationals includes a one-man canoe race and a one-woman canoe race, as well as a mixed tandem race with one man and woman on a team. These events will be held twice at different lengths. The five-mile canoe race will test the team’s distance ability, while the one- mile sprint will test speed.

There is also a relay race, which combines both flatwater and whitewater racing. A six-person team, with at least two women, forms two person teams to take on the three sections of the 10-mile course. Albion has some experience in relays after taking first in the Great Outdoorsmen’s Triathlon last fall.

"This was the first time that a college relay has won the open event in the history of the race," Zakk Havens said of the Britons victory at the Great Outdoorsman’s Triathlon. "We considered it a great success."
Since this is the first year of the collegiate national race, no team has a clear edge, according to coach Keith Havens. The club is confident that its past experience will help.

"We have done several races on whitewater already," said Rachel Doherty, Beverly Hills senior, another member of the winning triathlon team. "We have an excellent coach, Keith Havens, who is very experienced."

The Albion team is currently practicing at home in the Kalamazoo River, and though the river offers no rapids, coach Havens has faith in the Brits.