TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Crown them champions! The Florida A&M women's cross-country program boasts a new title Monday (Oct. 23) –  2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions. The women are the first FAMU team to garner that accomplishment this season and did so behind 63 total points. 

Alabama State (72 points) and Alabama A&M (99) rounded out the top three. 

Junior Serenity Williams placed sixth in the 75-person field and was the first Rattler to cross the finish line. Not only did she claim a new personal record,  but the time (19:19:58.2) also captured her first sub-20 minute 5K. Freshmen Niya Coleman (20:25.9) and Sierra Barrera (20:45.7) also finished "Top 10" for Florida A&M, coming in at ninth and 10th place, respectively. 

Florida A&M earns its first women's cross-country title, as part of the SWAC, in just its second year of membership. 

Coach Garfield Ellenwood II earned SWAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year as Serenity Williams, Niya Coleman, and Sierra Barrera earned All-SWAC Second Team.

2023 SWAC Cross Country Championships (Athlete | Place | Time) 
Serenity Williams | 6th | 19:58.2      
Niya Coleman | 9th | 20:25.9
Sierra Barrera | 10th | 20:45.7
Alesia Douglas | 14th | 20:54.9
Jillian Salmon | 24th | 21:10.2          
Lacie Deboskie | 27th | 21:22.8        
Madison Gordon | 41st | 22:21.3      
Ava Cason | 47th | 22:46.7
Jourdan Garnett | 61st | 24:39.6
 
Personal Record