Senior sprinter Jharna Alston working on getting a faster start.
Courtesy of Adrienne Robinson
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University will hosts the 65th annual FAMU Relays at the Pete Griffin Track Complex on Saturday.
The Relays are the only track and field meet FAMU host all year. There are about 10 universities participating in FAMU Relays along with students who are running unattached.
FAMU track & field team just finished with indoor track & field as runner-ups and have started training for outdoor by working on stretching out and getting adjusted to being outside in inclement weather.
Tiffiny Morrow, the jump and sprint coach for FAMU’s women’s track and field is very confident in her team and their skill level for outdoor track.
“These girls are the 2015 MEAC outdoor champions and we hope to reclaim our title this year for 2016, we were runner-up indoor,” Morrow said. “I’m very confident in these young ladies, we have some true all-stars, true academia, true athletes on this team.”
Jharna Alston, a senior health leisure and fitness studies student from Mobile Ala., is the fastest girl on FAMU women’s track and field. Alston is currently ranking 10th in the 200 meter and 14th in the 400 meter in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference..
Alston believes staying focus on MEAC rather than FAMU Relays is what keeps her pushing to make sure she qualifies for MEAC outdoor.
“It’s not about FAMU relays but it’s also about what we’re going to do after FAMU Relays,” Alston said..
Isaiah Smith, a senior sprinter for FAMU men’s track and field ran 47.11 in the 400 meter, his fastest time last year; he feels confident running in FAMU Relays.
“Coming out of high school we didn’t have indoor season out of Florida, so it’s always been outdoor season," Smith said. "For a lot of runners it’s the most important season [and] I think that’s the advantage I have because some athletes are not use to running outdoor."
For Smith, FAMU Relays is a good way for people to get a chance to see the track and field team perform.
“It’s a good thing people get to come out and see us – the people that always ask," he said. “All in all we want to have a good outcome for FAMU Relays.”
For more information about FAMU Relays visit www.famuathletics.com.