NEW YORK (Jan. 18) | Competing against some of the nation's best Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Florida A&M delivered standout performances on the track and in the field, with eight event victories and 14 podium finishes at the HBCU Showcase. 

Dajon Clark (60 meters / long jump), Leonard Mustari (60-meter hurdles), Nya Blocker (60 meters / 200 meters), Kennith Martin (400 meters), and Paul Rowden (high jump) not only set the standards to beat in their respective events, but their efforts also sit amongst the nation's elite, "Top 50" on the NCAA's Division I Indoor Qualifying List. Blocker's 200-meter time of 23.55 ranks 14th (the highest ranking of any Rattler so far this season), while Clark's 60-meter performance of 6.66 ranks 20th. 

Clark and Blocker were two-time winners on Saturday, and both also left the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory with personal records in the 60-meter event. In total, the Rattlers amassed an impressive 17 PRs, and according to Athletic Net, which has records dating as far back as 2003, Clark (60M), Martin (400M / 47.28) and Lacie Deboskie (500M / 1:16.57) have also set school records. 

Among the 16 colleges in the competition, the Rattler men placed second overall, trailing only Norfolk State. The FAMU women also finished "Top 3," finishing third in a competitive 17-team field behind Hampton and Howard. 

The team is off to Columbia, S.C., for its next meet - the two-day Carolina Challenge and Gamecock Challenge (Jan. 31 - Feb. 1) hosted by South Carolina. 

Top Finishes (Athlete | Time/Mark | Finish) 
 
60 Meters Finals
Dajon Clark | 6.66 | 1/8 (20th NCAA) 
Nya Blocker | 7.38 | 1/8 (48th NCAA)
Oarabile Tshosa | 7.52 | 3/8
*Kennith Martin | 6.86 | 5/8 
Aryana Ladson | 7.59 | 5/8
 
60 Meters Hurdles Finals
Leonard Mustari | 7.84 | 1/8 (28th NCAA)
Katelynn Smith | 8.58 | 2/9
Kurt Powdar | 8.05 | 4/8
**Arayana Ladson | 9.07 | 9/9 
 
200 Meters
Nya Blocker | 23.55 | 1/92 (14th NCAA)
Oarabile Tshosa | 24.48 | 3/92
Arayana Ladson | 24.92 | 7/92
Dakya Cunningham | 25.09 | 9/92
Rancesson Grace | 22.03 | 10/84
Justice Crawford | 22.43 | 26/84
 
400 Meters
Kennith Martin | 47.28 | 1/44 (23rd NCAA) 
Norman Mukwada | 48.41 | 6/44
Kwame Smith | 48.71 | 9/44
Anthony Brodie Jr. | 49.12 | 11/44
Rancesson Grace | 49.95 | 19/44
 
500 Meters
Lacie Deboskie | 1:16.57 | 2/10 
 
800 Meters
Tara Bert | 2:16.71 | 1/36
Madison Gordon | 2:21.92 | 10/36
 
High Jump
Paul Rowden | 2.10m (6' 10.75") | 1/15 (28th NCAA)
 
Long Jump
Dajon Clark | 7.51m (24' 7.75") | 1/31 (25th NCAA)
Jade-Ann Smith | 5.46m (17' 11") | 7/28
 
Triple Jump 
Jade-Ann Smith | 11.99m (39' 4") | 2/14

4x4 Relays
Kirah Copeland, Madison Gordon, Katelynn Smith, Tara Bert | 3:53.13 | 3/19
 
Personal Records
*Set a PR in the 60-meter prelim (6.84)
**Set a PR in the 60-meter hurdles prelim (8.81)


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