After returning from their spring break trip to Florida, the women’s track and field team’s toughest competition has been Mother Nature. Despite the wind and snow, at the March 22 Defiance meet, Albion took third place out of six teams.

In the harsh conditions, Autumn Charnley, Richland Township junior, won the 4 X 100 relay and finished second in the 200-meter dash.

Teaming up with Charnley in the 4 X 100 relay were Dori Williams, Williamston junior; Dana Koenig, Midland first-year; and Becca Putans, Grand Rapids sophomore.

“Nobody used the cold and snow as an excuse,” said head coach Hayden Smith.  “The athletes went out and gave their best.”

Megan Fitzpatrick, Marshall senior, had a career best time and placed third in the 5,000-meter. 

Jenna Morse, Belding senior, and Katie Spencer, Saint Ignace junior, had the best finishes in the field events for the Lady Brits, taking third and second in discus throw. Williams also took third in the high jump.

“I felt that my overall performance was not the best, but I thought that the team performed very well considering the conditions,” Williams said.

Pleased with their performance at the Beaver Invitational, Albion took first place in three events.

In Bluffton, Ohio, last weekend, Stephaine Klumpp, Wyoming senior; Shauana Paradine, Schoolcraft senior; and JQ Williams, Plymouth senior, finished first, helping the Britons collect 153 points. 

Albion placed second out of the seven teams at the meet but had the best score among Division III teams. 

“The hallmark of this team will be an excellent attitude and effort,” Smith said.  “Given the talent, the team will have successful results and individuals will produce many personal best performances.”

At the Beaver Invitational, Albion’s best performance came in the 5,000-meter event.

Paradine, Fitzpatrick and Lauren Dennisuk, Trenton senior,  (respectively) finished first, second, and third. 

Despite Albion’s success at their first two meets, MIAA standings are determined in dual meets and the MIAA conference meet. 

“The goal I would like the team to achieve is to beat Hope College in the MIAA standings this year,” D. Williams said. 

Hope took second in the MIAA in 2007, finishing ahead of the Lady Brits in placed third.

In 2008, Hope took fifth place at the Emory Invitational. 

Albion competes at the Marv Frye Invitational this weekend before the MIAA Jamboree on April 12. 

“After 10 weeks of practice, I believe the foundation is in place to do well collectively and individually,” Smith said. “The key to team success will be the MIAA Jamboree & the MIAA Championship.”

Until then, the Lady Brits will travel to Delaware, Ohio, for the Marv Frye Invitational this weekend.

“We are working hard at practice and prepping for cold temperatures,” D. Williams said. “It seems no matter how warm it is supposed to be, it always turns out to be windy, cold, and snowing.”

This will be the last meet before Albion competes in the MIAA Jamboree.

Alma is hosting the MIAA Jamboree as well as this season’s Field Day on May 1.

“They [fans] can expect what they see from us every year,” D. Williams said. “That we will run hard and work hard, and hopefully, these things will lead to us beating Hope College.”