FAMU’s Track & Field team sets personal and school records at this year’s KMS Invitational

Junior FAMU athlete Joshua Butler practicing throwing a discus.
Photo Courtesy of Joshua Butler.

The Florida A&M University track team showed up and showed out at this year’s KMS Invitational. The Rattlers set personal best records while giving a reason for fans and students alike to show up to their home meet later this Spring.

The Rattlers came away from the annual track and field meet with satisfaction and a sense of urgency to improve as told by Joshua Butler, a junior who specializes in the shot put portion of the events. Butler felt as though with every pro there is a con, something to critique and improve upon.

“The event went great as a whole team. We had people set personal records, and school records which is the ultimate goal,” said Butler. “Individually, I set a personal record in shot put, but not in weight throw, and by me being my biggest critic, I see where I have to go in the lab and improve on.

“That’s the beauty of sports and especially Track and Field. There is always something that you can improve on to perfect your craft for the betterment of the team.” 

Some of the records that were broken by the Rattlers at the invitational were Captain Alelee Figueroa’s weight throw, clocking in an 18.42-meter distance, claiming the school record. While Butler acquired a new personal best in the shotput division, 13.26 meters.

The Rattlers head to Birmingham, AL for the USA Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 3 to begin a string of meets spanning till early June. Along the way the team will be in attendance for events like the MEAC Indoor Championships in Maryland, return to Florida for the FAMU Relays & Multi Meet, then conclude the season in Austin, TX with the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

According to Butler, the team has yet to peak and will surely continue to become a better team throughout the season. When asked the event as a whole, he discussed the game plan they plan to utilize.

“Not our best [event] because we have better coming and don’t want to peak too soon. We want to gradually increase and build momentum so we can be victorious at MEAC championships, Regionals, NCAA’s and beyond!

The Rattlers want to be successful for the long haul and make sure to peak when it counts.

The Rattlers Track & Field return to Tallahassee for their FAMU Relays & Multi Meet event on March 15 and make sure to be in attendance to support your classmates as they hope to reset history.