SPORTS

Coldwater's Boyce signs with Trine University Track and Field

The Daily Reporter

Coldwater's Avery Boyce, surrounding by family, friends and coaches, signs her letter of intent to run track at Trine University

Coldwater graduate Avery Boyce has made her decision on where she will call home starting in the fall of 2022 as the three sport star signed on to compete for the Trine University Track and Field team.

“I chose Trine University because I really like their campus and I really like the coaches too,” said Boyce. “I looked at a couple of other D3 schools and one D2 school but in the end they just didn’t feel like home, they didn’t feel like Trine does. At first being able to run track or competing in sports didn’t really push me much in the way of a decision but after awhile I realized that I really love running track so I decided that was really what I wanted to do.”

Although starring in three different sports, having earned varsity letters in swimming, gymnastics and track, Boyce will be pursuing her track interests as she travels to Angola, IN. to compete for the Thunder.

According to Boyce the Thunder are looking for her to concentrate on her chosen field event, the pole vault, while also being able to dabble a bit in the relay events.

Having Boyce concentrate mainly on pole vault may not be a bad idea for the Trine University staff, as the now graduated Cardinal was an ace in the pole vault pit, qualifying for the MHSAA Individual State Finals the past two years in the event.

“It’s crazy being able to go to the state finals,” said Boyce. “At the beginning of the season I found out we had moved up to Division One and I was like there is no way I’ll be able to qualify again, it’ll be impossible. But I worked hard all season and got my goal.”

Coldwater's Avery Boyce will attend Trine University to run track for the Thunder

During her junior season Boyce qualified for the state finals in the pole vault after finishing in second place at the regional competition before finishing in tenth place overall at the Division Two State Finals with a vault of 9 feet, 3 inches. During her senior season Boyce capped off a tremendous outdoor season with a third place finish at the Division One Regional competition before ending the year with a nineteenth place finish at the D1 State Finals with a jump of 9 feet, 3 inches.

During her wildly successful senior campaign Boyce took gold medal wins in the pole vault at the EMU Huron Relays, the Wildcat Booster Invite as well as taking home the interstate 8 conference championship in the vault. Boyce’s season and career best mark came in her third place regional finish where she cleared 10 feet for the first time, finishing with a vault of 10 feet, 3 inches.

During her senior campaign Boyce also brought home a sixth place finish in the Interstate 8 in the long jump and was a part of the I-8 third place 400 meter relay team. Throughout her three year track career at CHS (reminder, the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid) Boyce has added nearly three feet to her pole vault height and has brought home a total of 13 first place finishes in the event.

Coldwater's Avery Boyce will focus on the Pole Vault at Trine University next season after signing her letter of intent to compete for the Thunder

Now that her high school career is complete Boyce spent some time looking back on her past four years worth of memories at Coldwater High School where she points to all her sports memories as her best moments. “Competing in sports really, all of them, are my best memories. All the friendships I made throughout, being able to get better at each event and just improving with my teammates, that’s the most fun I have had.”

Despite all her strengths Boyce knows the challenges that await her at the collegiate ranks and has no qualms about trying to improve each and every day. “I really need to work on being more of an extrovert and not like being so much in my shell, I think that will help my college experience,” added Boyce.

After starring in three different sports while at Coldwater the future was always bright for Boyce and now she takes the next step as she travels to Trine University. Only great things can be in store for some one as dedicated, driven and talented as Avery.

Congratulations to Coldwater’s Avery Boyce on her decision to further her academic and athletic future at Trine University.

Coldwater's Avery Boyce not only excelled on the track, but in gymnastics and swimming as well. Boyce will now move on to run track for Trine University