Women Earn Top-Ten Spots in All Runs at Birmingham Invitational

The Florida A&M women’s track and field team was relentless at Friday’s Birmingham Invitational, garnering top-10 finishes in 12 events.

With the second-half of the indoor track season approaching, head coach Darlene Moore set high expectations for the team. She said these include qualifying more athletes for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Championship, improving event times and training with discipline. 

“We have to continue to work hard, get as many qualified for the MEAC (championship), and to make sure that we hit the times for each race we run,” Moore said.

Chandelic Jackson, the current MEAC women’s track athlete of the week, blazed to a first-place finish in the 5000m run in a time of 18:17.77. She would later place third in the mile run (5:12.55).

“I can improve on my racing techniques and really focus on pacing,” Jackson said. “The team just needs to continue to work hard in practice at getting better everyday.”

Ariel Allen ran to second-place in the 800m (2.14.62) while Nichola Listhrop placed 18th (2:22.78). Allen also took ninth in the mile run (5:22.75).

“It was very intense and competitive,” Allen said. “We had to work hard and make sure that we hit the times for each race we ran.”

In a collective effort, the Rattlers sprinted for third place in the 4x400m in a time of 3:48.366.

In the triple jump, Kinnesha Jones sprung to fifth with a distance of 11.75m.

In the 200m dash, Jasmine Smith came in at 24.75, which was good for fifth place. She also placed tenth in the 60m dash (7.75). Nakia Linson (25.69) and Jasmine Pleasant (25.78) placed 24th and 27th respectively in the 200m dash.

Ciera Williams placed 38th in the 3000m run (11:56.37), while Clarrica Golden finished in 28th place (11:18.69). She would later place 13th in the mile in a time of 4:28.46.

In the 400m run, Rateema Stanley took 14th place with a time of 59.19.

Brittany Brown pole-vaulted to ninth place (2.60m), while Stephanie Colter leaped for 18th place (1.50m) in the high jump.

In the weight throw, Sharon Haughton threw for 10.86m, good for 27th place. Cynia Clark came in 24th place in the weight throw (11.27). She would later jolt to 27th place in the long jump (10.66m).

Several top-tier programs competed in the invitational. Among them were conference-rival Bethune-Cookman, Samford, Memphis, Kennesaw State, and Georgia State.

FAMU will return to action on Jan. 22, as it will travel to Gainesville, Fla. to participate in the Gator Invitational.