At the high-paced Florida State University relays this past weekend, the Florida A&M University women’s track team made its presence known. Many of the runners were pleased with the results after setting personal best times. Jeanna Dorcelin, a senior from West Palm Beach, ran the 400 meter hurtles, 100 meter hurtles and the 4×4 relay. Dorcelin finished second in the 400m hurtles, seventh in the 100m hurtles, and third in the 4×4 relay. “My main focus is on the 400 meter hurtles because I was close to the regional time,” said Dorcelin after finishing less than one second off of the regional qualifying time.
Dorcelin said head coach Maicel Malone wanted to make sure she stayed focused during the meet so she could perform her best.
“My coach wanted me to keep my stride open and run hard.” Dorcelin will use her 400 meter run results as motivation to improve in her next race.
“I improved my time but I didn’t get to the regional mark yet. I’m very, very close so I have high expectations on making it to the regional race,” Dorcelin said.
Zaire Ashby felt the Lady Rattlers women’s track team did very well. She also said she was both happy and disappointed with her performance at the FSU relays.
She competed in the long jump competition and finished in fourth place.
Ashby had mixed feelings about her performance and was not sure she was her best.
“No, because I know I am way better than what I jumped, but yes because I am coming off of an injury.”
Ashby is coming back from tearing her medial collateral ligament, or MCL, in both of her knees. She said it was a little difficult to stay focused at the relays.
“We had a rough meet,” Ashby said. “We were trying to stay focused as much as we could because there was a death in the track community. We needed to concentrate on the meet and try not to deal with the tragedy.” April McGriff, a senior shot put and discuss thrower from Vero Beach, did not participate this weekend but had many positive things to say about her team’s performance. “I feel like the team did very well this weekend,” McGriff said. “Everyone went out there and did their best. Everyone competed and had personal bests in a lot of things.”
McGriff said before they have track meets, Malone reminds the team to compete to their highest potential.
“Coach Malone tells us to go out there and do our best and compete like the competitors we are,” McGriff said.
McGriff went on to mention the advantages FAMU held over the other schools because of the fact that they were closest to their home field.
“It is very important for the teams to do well, especially with the added support of competing in Tallahassee,” McGriff said.
“Because it was a home meet we wanted to show our faces and do what we have the talent to do.” The Lady Rattler’s track and field team will head to Gainsville and hope to build on their performance at the FSU relays.
Please Pick up a copy of The Famuan print edition for Rattler men and women track finish times.