The Florida A&M men’s cross country team walked away from Daytona Beach and the second annual Bethune-Cookman Invitational with its hands held high as runners finished with 24 points and a first place victory.
The 5-kilometer invitational took place on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. on Daytona Beach Shores’ Rendon Park beach line. Other competitors included Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals B-CU and Savannah State University, along with Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team Edward Waters.
Although rough weather affected competition conditions, the Rattlers earned an exciting win.
Such teamwork did not go unnoticed, as Head Coach Wayne Angel said the team had a strong performance.
“They did very well for their second meet,” Angel said. “They ran very well together and they continue to motivate each other. They were mentally tough and resilient, and, overall, I was very proud of them.”
Shuaib Winters led the pack with a first-place finish and time of 17:27.
Winters said even with his winning time, he struggled more than usual throughout the meet. The team, however, performed well, he said.
“We placed first overall as a team,” Winters said. “I think everyone did great.”
Dieumy Duclos and Lamere Buchanan did not trail far behind. Duclos finished third with a time of 17:47 and Buchanan ended fourth with a time of 17:51.
The FAMU Men’s Cross Country team will compete again on Sept. 24, and will travel across the railroad tracks to participate in the Florida State Invitational.