What: Tom Jones Memorial Invitational    
When: April 12-13 
Where: Gainesville, Fla. | James G. Presley Stadium at Percy Beard Track

Nearing the latter half of its outdoor schedule, the Florida A&M track and field will return to the University of Florida one last time for the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational. Both days will be live streamed on the SEC Network+. Friday's action begins at 1 p.m., while Saturday's starts at 9 a.m. 

Recapping the Last Meet
FAMU last competed during the last weekend of March, splitting meets at the Florida Pepsi Relays and the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic, and there were quite a few successes. Katelynn Smith and Norman Mukwada stood out in the 400-meter hurdles, setting new personal records with times of 59.27 and 53.31 seconds, while Mia Heard lept a season-best 5.83 meters in the long jump. Impressively, all three Rattlers secured first place in their respective events.
 
On day one of the Florida Pepsi Relays, while placing sixth overall, Breanna Brown-Marshall recorded a new PR in the long jump (6.09 meters / 19' 11.75"). Day two saw  Joseph DeRosier, Tatianna Martinez, and Alesia Douglas respectively achieve new personal records in the 110-meter hurdles, 400 meters, and 800 meters. Their performances were not only personal bests but also ranked at the top of their fields, with DeRosier achieving FAMU's best result with a third-place finish.

SWAC 2024 Outdoor Performance List 
The following FAMU performances rank "Top 5" on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) 2024 Outdoor Performance List: 

Nya Blocker | 200 Meters | 23.40 | Second / 47th in NCAA
Alesia Douglas | 400 Meters | 54.76 | Second 
Tatianna Martinez | 400 Meters | 54.81 | Fourth 
Alesia Douglas | 2:09.51 | Second
Lacie Deboskie | 2:11.78 | Fourth 
Kirk Dawkins | 1500 Meters | 4:04.26 | Fifth 
Alesia Douglas | 1500 Meters | 4:52.06 | Fourth 
Lacie Deboskie | 1500 Meters | 4:55.61 | Fifth 
Niya Coleman | 5000 Meters | 19:58.72 | Second
Kimeone McLeod | 100 Hurdles | 13.74 | Third
Joseph DeRosier | 110 Hurdles | 13.55 | First / 12th in NCAA
Norman Mukwada | 400 Hurdles | 53.31 | Fifth 
Katelynn Smith | 400 Hurdles | 59.27 | First / 47th in NCAA
Dakya Cunningham, Breanna Brown-Marshall, Shaniya Berry, Nya Blocker | 46.37 | Fifth 
Breanna Brown-Marshall | High Jump | 1.69m (5' 6.5") | Third
Breanna Brown-Marshall | Long Jump | 6.09m (19' 11.75") | First
Mia Heard | Long Jump | 5.83m (19' 1.5") | Fourth 
Preston Loggins | Discus | 43.49m (142' 8") | Fifth 
Quentin Williams | Javelin | 50.20m (164' 8") | Fourth 

In the 110-meter hurdles, Joseph DeRosier also holds the 12th-fastest time in the nation, while Nya Blocker and Katelynn Smith respectively rank 47th in the 200-meter race and the 400-meter hurdles. 

2024 SWAC Weekly Awards 
Breanna Brown-Marshall | Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week | April 3
Joseph DeRosier | Co-Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week | April 3
Joseph DeRosier | Co-Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week | March 20
Nya Blocker | Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Feb. 14
Breanna Brown-Marshall | Indoor Field Athlete of the Week | Feb. 14
Joseph DeRosier | Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Feb. 14
Kimeone McLeod | Co-Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Feb. 7 
Joseph DeRosier | Co-Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Feb. 7
Kirk Dawkins | Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Jan. 24
Tionna Brown | Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Jan. 17
Joseph DeRosier | Co-Indoor Track Athlete of the Week | Jan. 17
 

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