Florida A&M’s men’s cross country team has set its expectations high as the runners prepare to compete in the Mountain Dew Invitational Saturday.
According to the head coach of men’s track and cross country, Wayne Angel, this meet is a chance for the team to see how it ranks among other teams.
“It’s a 25-year-old meet that brings in the best of the best in Florida,” said Angel.
While more than twenty colleges throughout will compete in the 8k run in Gainesville, Fla., Angel remains confident in his team’s abilities and considers it one of the best cross country teams that has ever been in the MEAC.
“We’re very talented, we’ve got depth, we’ve got experience and we’ve got great leadership,” said Angel.
Angel said this match is special because it will allow the runners to discover how good they are and will show them how FAMU’s team matches up with University of Florida.
Schuaib Winters, a team captain who has been running track and cross country for four years, said although he is hoping for a win, this is an opportunity to evaluate themselves as runners.
“It’s a good meet to test yourself to see where you’re standing, [to] see what you need to work on,” said the senior construction engineering and technology student from Conyers, Ga.
Elias Chesire, a second-year chemical engineering student from Kenya said he’s nervous and excited because this is his first competitive race. But Chesire is sure they have a shot at a successful race.
“We have a good chance of winning. We have a good team,” said Chesire.
The race begins at 7:55 a.m. and takes place at University of Florida Golf Course.