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CLEMSON, S.C. — Florida A&M’s men’s and women’s track and field teams stacked personal bests and quality marks against a deep field this weekend, turning the Bob Pollock Invitational into an early-season measuring stick — and a confidence builder — for the Rattlers inside Clemson University’s indoor facility.
On the women’s side, FAMU’s sprinters showed real pop. Senior Diandrenique Gaines delivered a personal-best 23.80 in the 200 meters, while freshman Janaree Kinchen added a personal-best 24.01 to headline a productive weekend for the Rattlers’ speed group.
The short sprints were just as promising. Kinchen clocked a personal-best 7.37 in the 60-meter semifinals, and Gaines followed with 7.38 in the same round as Florida A&M put multiple sprinters through with competitive marks.
In the middle distances, senior Tara Bert produced two notable performances: a personal-best 2:09.80 in the 800 and a 5:00.68 in the mile, giving the Rattlers a steady presence in events that often define conference meets.
Distance depth flashed, too. Junior Rose Muturi finished runner-up in the 5,000 meters in 18:53.28, a strong result in a race that demanded patience and closing strength.
Florida A&M also found points of progress in the hurdles, where Ty’yanah Adams advanced with an 8.56 in the 60 hurdles semis before posting 8.46 in the event.
The men’s team answered with its own momentum in the sprint group. Senior Darien Lawerence powered to a personal-best 20.96 and school record in the 200 meters. Lawrence also set the school record in the 60 meters with a time of 6.69.
Jayden Phillips followed with a personal-best in the 200 meters 21.41 as the Rattlers continued to build top-end speed heading into the heart of the indoor season.
In the 400 meters, William Shelton (47.74) and Phillips (47.78) turned in solid races against elite competition, the kind of reps that can pay off later when championships demand consistency across rounds.
FAMU’s men also got a notable placement in the 800, where Kirk Dawkins finished seventh in the field, signaling the Rattlers can compete up front in the event group that often swings team totals at the SWAC level.
In the men’s hurdles, Florida A&M put athletes through in the 60 hurdles: Leonard Mustari (7.70) and Joseph DeRosier (7.72 PB) advanced out of prelims, with Mustari later running 7.62 in the semifinals.
The Rattlers also recorded marks in the throws, including Bryce Webb (13.74m) and Ezekiel Salama (18.46m) as Florida A&M continued to round out its event-group depth.