Lady Rattlers Earn Reputation at Showcase

The Lady Rattlers track and field team earned a positive reputation after its noteworthy performances during the Florida A&M and Morehouse Relays recently.

The Lady Rattlers validated its reputation with similar performances Thursday through Saturday during the Florida State Relays on Mike Long Track.

“We had exceptional performances from the young ladies,” head coach Darlene Moore said about this weekend’s showcase. “It was a confidence booster.”

Moore said the team was eager to compete during the relays because it was an opportunity to challenge many established programs.

“We were very excited about coming to the FSU Relays, so we could really run against some competition where some girls could push us,” Moore said.

Dynasty Jones, a junior from Orlando, struck hard with a second-place finish in the 400m dash in a time of 54.37. Jeanette Hulse secured 10th place in the 400m in a time of 57.32.

Jones also competed in the 200m dash and earned a seventh-place finish in a time of 24.56.

Ariel Allen, a sophomore from Jacksonville, participated in the 800m run and led FAMU with a third-place finish (2:10.80). Chandelic Jackson was four seconds behind with a sixth-place finish (2:14.80).

In a collective display, the 4 x 400m relay team presented its endurance to cross the tape in a time of 3:47.36, good for third place.

Stephanie Colter, a junior from Phoenix, tied with Robert Morris’ Yulia Vasilyeva (1.58m) for fourth place in the high jump.

Colter said the team’s event training during practice contributed to its success during the relays.

“Everyone has been working very hard,” Colter said. “We have been taking advantage of workouts that have been tailored to our specific events.”

Nadine Mulvany demonstrated she was a contender in the 5000m run as she raced to fifth place in a time of 17:49.86. Ciera Williams (18:18.93) and Clarricia Golden (19:32.42) finished ninth and 20th, respectively.

In the long jump, Nakia Linson soared to second place with a 5.83m leap. Kinnesha Jones followed in sixth-place, clearing the jump with 5.56m.

Jones later mirrored that performance in the triple jump, as she leapt to a sixth-place finish with a distance of 11.81m.

The Lady Rattlers have two weeks to prepare for their next dose of action when they go to Gainesville on April 6 to compete in the University of Florida Relays.