The Albion College track & field found the perfect activity for team bonding while giving back to the community Jan. 12.

The track & field team took the lead as 86 local youngsters participated in the year's first free clinic sponsored by the Albion Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Jessica Johnson, a thrower from Eaton Rapids, Mich., who is one of the team's SAAC representatives, said it was fun to see a different side of her teammates.

"We get caught up in our individual events, and to start the season with the clinic allows us to see the fun in our sport," Johnson said. "In interacting with the kids, we found enjoyment and how we can have fun while still wanting to win.

"It was cool to see how this event brought the team together by bringing out the goofy side in all of us," she added. "Our personalities were illuminated."

Working primarily with 3-5 year olds, Johnson led the participants through stations set up to show off the various disciplines – throwing, jumping, and running. There were even a set of tiny hurdles for the kids to try.

"The kids are themselves in that age group. They just want to have fun. They love each other so well. They don't care how they are perceived," Johnson said. "I didn't have to earn their acceptance."

The Briton men's and women's lacrosse teams will take the lead for the Jan. 19 SAAC clinic at the Dow Recreation and Wellness Center, located at 415 S. Hannah St. on the Albion campus.

For a photo gallery of the event, visit the Albion SAAC Facebook page.

(Information and story provided by Albion Athletic Communications)