Junior Xavier Garcia, last yearŐs leading point producer, missed the first part of the season after studying abroad. Garcia did return in time to win a Maine State title in the long jump and took second in the triple jump.

Garcia and junior teammate Patrick Harner competed in most of the same events. Harner took second in the New England Division III Championships in the 55 dash.

Senior Nat Brown won a Maine State title in the 800-meter run and also placed second in the mile.

New head coach Todd Coffin ’83 will have talent to work with in his first season with the Mules. He replaces longtime coach Jim Wescott, who retired after 25 years at Colby.

Xavier Garcia ’05 (Stoneham, Mass.) has developed into one of the more versatile athletes in New England Division III track and field. A tri-captain and an All-American in the indoor 400-meter dash, Garcia established new Colby records in the 400 at 47.92 and the triple jump at 47'4.5".

Other returnees of note include: Pat Harner ’05 (West Greenwich, R.I.), Peyton McElyea ’05 (Pacific Grove, Calif.), Ryan Hollett ’05 (Bedford, Nova Scotia), and Jason Foster ’06 (Moretown, Vt.).

Harner, a tri-captain and a member of Colby’s record-holding 400-meter relay team (42.08), missed last year’s season while studying in London. Last year McElyea provisionally qualified for the NCAA 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:54.61. He will be a tri-captain in 2004. Hollett sprinted to 6.57 (55-meter dash) and 11.08 (100-meter dash) times en route to capturing several New England titles. Foster adjusted exceptionally well to the college implements as he threw the discus 141'1" and in his first year with the hammer reached 159'3".

Jonathan Suddaby ’07, an exceptional sprinter from Aurora, Ont., will team up with juniors Garcia, Harner, and Hollett for the next two years on a 400-meter relay team capable of attaining NCAA recognition. Jeff Alden ’07 (Caribou, Maine), a member of the U.S. Junior Biathlon team, the State of Maine Class C 1,600-meter record holder (4:17.12), and the 2002 New England 1,600-meter champion, will be a welcome addition to Colby’s distance running and Nordic ski teams.

In the October 31, 1994, Sports Illustrated article, "Pure and Simple," Doug Looney described NESCAC athletes as competing on their chosen teams for one reason–love of the sport. Colby students and the members of our fellow conference schools maintain a wonderful balance of academic pursuits and athletic achievements.

Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Florida, Atlanta, San Diego, and Claremont, Calif., all have been spring break destinations of Colby’s track and field team. Come join us!

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