Five members of the FAMU Rattlers and Lady Rattlers outdoor track teams are in final preparations for their competition in the NCAA East Regional Track Championships, May 26-28, at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex. This is the 90th annual championship event for the men's division and 30th annual event for the women.Head coaches Wayne Angel and Darlene Moore are accompanying their star athletes as they try to impact a national field.
For the Lady Rattlers, three team mebers are vying for the national spotlight. Nakia Linson, Jasmine Pleasant and Latoya Wright are slated to compete at the regional championship.
For the Rattlers, Leon Hunt and Demarius Carroll (pictured), will be making the charge.
Linson, a freshman from Tucker, Ga., has been one of coach Moore's most consistent performers, after coming on late in the season. The former USATF competitor qualified at the No.29 place as a participant in the 100m dash, with a 11.53 qualifying time,
Pleasant, is the captain of the Lady Rattlers squad. She hails from Tampa, Fla. She qualified in position No.43 in the 200m dash with a qualifying time of 23.83.
Wright, has been stellar for the Lady Rattlers all season. She is a senior from West Palm Beach, Fla. Wright won the 400m in the MEAC Championship earlier this year. She qualifies for the NCAA regional at the No. 10 slot in the 400m hurdles with a 57.62 time.
Carroll, a Tallahassee native (Godby high School), had one of the best comebacks this season. After starting the season dealing with injuries, Carroll came on to finish strong for the Rattlers. Carroll, qualifies at the No.39 spot in the 110m hurdles. Carding a time of 14.13, Carroll qualified for the NCAA regionals.
Hunt, led the Rattlers track team this season. He pulled a "double," winning both the MEAC Indoor and Outdoor long jump championships. He qualifies at the No.12 position for the NCAA regional, with a leap of 7.70m.