The Florida A&M track teams continued their outdoor dominance at the 39th annual Morehouse Relays held at the Edwin C. Moses Track and Field facility in Atlanta.
Both teams placed third at the event. The women’s team tallied a total of 86.16 points in the relays. The men came home with 104.50 points. Latoya Wright, a junior student from St. Catherine, Jamaica by way of Palm Beach, made good on her promise to improve in her events. Wright fi nished first in both the 400-meter dash (57.33) and the 400-meter
hurdles (1:02.26).
“So far this season, this was the fastest I have ran in the 400-meter hurdles and I can see my times dropping,” Wright said. “If I continue to do a little more than the 400-meters at practice, to help my endurance, and speed work, to run my races strong I can do better
at the next meet.”
Also winning events for the women were Suelyn Pilliner in the high jump (1.68m), Tiffiny Morrow in the triple jump (11.79m), Keelyn Fleming in the 10,000-meter run (49:02.80) and Ann-Marie Francis in the javelin throw (34.37m).
A host of Lady Rattlers had second and third place finishes including Conchita Russell in the 100-meter hurdles (14.74, second), 4×400-meter relay (3:56.75, second), Jeanette Hulse in the 400-meter dash (58.60 ,third), and the 4×100-meter relay (48.13, third).
The men’s team scored numerous points on their way to a top three finish as well, collecting four top finishes.
Two of the events were the 5,000 (16:04.88) and 10,000-meter (34.21) runs, both won by Shuaib Winters.
Other wins on the men’s side were by Degion Craddock in the 800-meter run (1:56.88), and Leon Hunt in the long jump (7.34m).
Hunt, a junior from the Virgin Islands who transferred from Virginia State for more challenges on and off the track, is currently ranked second in the eastern region in his event according to tfrrs.org.
“When I first found out I was a little surprised, but when I thought about all of the hard work I put in I figured that I should be on that list,” Hunt said. “I’m trying to be number one because that is the only thing that you can strive for in this sport.”
Two athletes fi nishing in the top three of the 110-meter hurdles aided in the efforts. Greg Bynes came in second (14.85) and Damarrius Carroll in third (15.15).
The 4×800-meter relay came in second (7:58.34), so did the distance medley (10:34.55). Willie Johnson finished in third place in the long jump (7.16m).
One of the team captains Carl McKenzie, improved on his times after a brief slump and finished third in the 100-meter dash (10.69).
“It was a great improvement from the FAMU relays for me,” McKenzie said. “My times dropped considerably and this gives me momentum going into FSU relays and on through the rest of the season. Hopefully, my times will continue to drop all the way until the outdoor championships and I can run my fastest time there.”
Coach Darlene Moore was more than please with her team’s performances.
“It was a great atmosphere, great weather, and over 20 teams there so there was plenty of competition. I’m glad that the rattlers chose to rise to the occasion,”Moore said.