MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Back on the track for 2026, the Alma College track and field program kicked off competition following the new year up the road at Central Michigan University on Friday, January 16th. Competing against the likes of CMU and Bowling Green State University (NCAA Division I), Lake Superior State University (NCAA Division II), and Lawrence Technological University (NAIA), the Scots held their own as the only Division III team in attendance.
Starting with the women's side of action, Lauren Brawt collected a top five finish in the 400-meter race with a time of 1:02.98, the Scots highest finisher only behind Division I racers. Sophia Sanford and Kaitelyn Walker finished right behind with times of 1:05.89 and 1:11.96, respectively. Sanford's time was a personal best as well. Helena Snyder secured a second-place finish in the high jump competition, surpassing a mark of 1.52 meters, tying with two other athletes as well. In the pole vault, Lauren McCarthy rose to fourth place with a mark of 2.76 meters, followed by Kennedi Wahmhoff finishing in fifth with a mark of 2.61 meters. MaryAlice Lynch also competed in the vault finishing just behind Wahmhoff in sixth place also with a mark of 2.61 meters. Lynch was also the Scots highest finisher in the 60-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 9.91, finishing in 11th overall. Ella Moylan qualified for finals in the shot pot competition, finishing in sixth overall with a best mark of 10.95 meters. Alma's distance medley relay team of Erica Slocum, Brawt, Jordan Fox and Sophia Dech finished in first and set the fifth fastest time in Division III this season with a time of 13:42.94, there best of the season to this point. The 4x400 meter team of Brawt, Fox Sanford and Synder finished second with a time of 4:23.66, the 69th fastest time in Division III so far this season.
Transitioning to the men's side of competition, Freshman Onction Zape continued to make positive strides and handle the transition to the college competition well as he claimed a first-place finish in the 200-meter race with a time of 23.23, ahead of teammates Tristian Gist, Benjamin Daniels, Phillip Banner and Trace Laskey who all placed top five. Zape also finished fifth in the 60-meter sprint with a time of 7:13 in the finals heat. Trace Laskey claimed a second-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.94 followed up by teammate Leland Edelyn, who finished with a time of 9.61. Aiden Aldrich also claimed a first-place finish for the Scots with a time of 52.19 in the 400 meters, followed by Phillip Banner in second place with a time of 52.21. Moving to the field events, Ethan Wickman claimed second place in the high jump, clearing a mark of 1.70 meters for a personal best. The Scots claimed another first-place in the long jump as Nick Mikesell jumped a personal best mark of 6.15 meters, finishing ahead of second by .15 meters. Ed Markarian finished in third place with a mark of 5.95 meters and Edelyn finished in fifth with a jump of 5.57 meters. Nickolas Savoie put Alma on top in the pole vault, setting the best mark of the meet with a clearance of 4.10 meters. Edelyn finished in third with a mark of 3.80 meters, a personal best for him. Chris Rogers was Alma's highest placer in the shot put, finishing second with a throw of 12.66 meters. Jerrold Atwell followed behind in fourth place with a throw of 12.18, with Richard Semmelroch finishing closely behind in fifth with a mark of 12.10 meters. Markarian and Wickman also earned podium finishes in the triple jump with marks of 11.83 and 11.15 meters, finishing in second and third place, respectively. Callum Hagey was Alma's best finish in the weight throw, meeting a mark of 13.73 meters, finishing in second place. Max Reed claimed a fifth-place final for Alma with a throw of 11.28 meters as well. The Scots 4x400 meter relay team of Aldrich, Banner, Laskey and Edelyn finished in second place, narrowly being edged out by Lake Superior State by .18 of a second, finishing with a time of 3:39.27.
Alma will return to action next Friday, January 23rd as they will travel east to Saginaw Valley State University for the Doug Hansen Open. Events are set to begin at 2:30 PM.
