TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | On Monday (Oct. 21), the Florida A&M women's cross-country team will defend its 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship title on its home course, Apalachee Regional Park, hoping for the same result. 
 
The championships will begin with the men's event at 9 a.m., followed by the women's event at 10 a.m. Both will be live streamed on the SWAC Digital Network. 
 
SWAC Player of the Week / Recapping the Last Race
Tara Bert earned the title of the SWAC's Women's Runner of the Week after a standout performance at the Florida State XC Invitational. The junior transfer slashed nearly two minutes of her previous personal record in the 5K, clocking in at an impressive 18:54.0. 
 
Bert has led Florida A&M runners in all three races this season. 
 
Alesia Douglas (19:23.4), Madison Gordon (21:37.1), and Kristian Prather (22:24.0) also recorded PRs at the FSU meet. 
 
The 2024 SWAC Championships 

• The Rattlers won their first SWAC cross-country title. 
• Serenity Williams ran her fastest 5K (19:58.2), finishing sixth overall. 
• Niya Coleman placed ninth at the championship meet in 20:25.9.
• Coach Garfield Ellenwood II was named Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm of the program.