Photo Courtesy: FAMU Athletics
Following last year’s historic SWAC Championship win, the Florida A&M women’s cross-country team is set on claiming back-to-back titles. With the championship race on Monday, the team has doubled down on intense mental and physical preparation to stay ahead of the competition.
The 5K race, which spans 3.1 miles, isn’t just about speed, it demands endurance, pacing and mental grit. To prepare, the team has increased the intensity of their workouts and hit the track more often, pushing themselves to run faster and stronger.
After facing tough challenges early in the season, the Rattlers improved their performance in recent meets. At the Florida State XC Invitational last week, several runners hit personal bests.
Cross-country coach Tamika Kinchen expressed the team’s growth in the latter half of the season.
“The first half of the season was rough, but we’re finally at a place where I feel confident in our potential to win the SWAC,” Kinchen said.
Several standouts have emerged and boosted the team’s morale heading into the championship.
Tara Bert, a transfer from Colby CC, cut nearly two minutes from her collegiate best, finishing with a time of 18:54.0 at the last meet. That time would have placed second among individual runners at last year’s SWAC Championship.
“This hasn’t been my best start, but it’s all coming together perfectly at the right time,” Bert said. “I feel confident in myself and my team that we will do our best to bring it home by the grace of God.”
Returning standouts Alesia Douglas, Niya Coleman and Serenity Williams, who were instrumental in last year’s Championship win, have each hit personal bests this season, gearing up to help lead the team to another title.
“I’m going to keep believing in my training, coaches, and teammates to help me prepare for Monday’s meet,” Coleman said.
Securing back-to-back SWAC Championship titles would be a first for FAMU in the conference, but the Rattlers are no strangers to success. During their time in the MEAC, they won seven consecutive titles, and now they’re eager to create a similar legacy in the SWAC.
As defending champions, the Rattlers understand the pressure that comes with success.
Lacie Deboskie, a current senior and member of last year’s championship squad, knows this all too well.
“This season has been tougher because the goal is to repeat,” Deboskie said. “I want to leave another mark at Florida A&M University like we did last year. Remaining humble and trusting the process is what matters because we understand what it takes to be a champion.”
The Rattlers will return to Apalachee Regional Park on Monday for the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.