COLUMBIA, S.C. | The Florida A&M track and field program added to its growing list of season accolades Saturday (Feb. 1) at South Carolina's Gamecock Challenge. Leading the way, the men's 4x400 relay, featuring Norman Mukwada, Rancesson Grace, Kennith Martin, and William Shelton, posted a season-best time of 3:11.18, currently the 33rd fastest in the nation, while Nya Blocker's standout performance in the 200 meters, a season-best 23.55, ranks 35th.

Adding to the successful outing, Kirk Dawkins etched his name in FAMU's record book. According to Athletic Net, which has records dating as far back as 2003, with a time of 2:27.07 in the 1000, the junior set the seventh school record this season. The others include Dajon Clark (60M), Kennith Martin (400M), Paul Rowden (HJ), Lacie Deboskie (500M), and Alesia Douglas (600M, 1000M). 
 
Other noteworthy performances at the Gamecock Challenge included Kirah Copeland's win in the 400-meter dash (56.49) and a host of podium finishes by Dajon Clark (60M / 6.71), Mukwada (400M / 47.68), Dawkins (800M / 1:51.66), and Douglas (800M / 2:11.25).
 
In its final meet ahead of the SWAC Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 21-22), FAMU will travel to Chicago, Ill., for the Windy City Invite (Feb. 14-15). 
 
Top Performances (Athlete | Time/Mark | Finish) 
 
60M – Prelims 
Dajon Clark | 6.75q | 1/28
Arayana Ladson | 7.66 | 9/35
Oarabile Tshosa | 7.68 | 10/35
Dakya Cunningham | 7.71 | 11/35
Frankleen Newah-Jarfoi | 7.00 | 15/28
 
60M – Finals
Dajon Clark | 6.71 | 2/8
 
60M Hurdles – Prelims
Kurt Powdar | 8.29q | 6/21
Katelynn Smith | 8.68 | 9/34
Arayana Ladson | 8.81 | 12/34
 
60M Hurdles – Finals
Kurt Powdar | 8.08 | 4/8
 
200M
Nya Blocker | 23.55 | 2/40
Kennith Martin | 21.50 | 7/31
Arayana Ladson | 24.75 | 9/40
 
400M
Kirah Copeland | 56.49 | 1/25
Norman Mukwada | 47.68 | 3/33
Katelynn Smith | 57.01 | 4/25
Justice Crawford | 49.27 | 12/33
Rancesson Grace | 49.36 | 13/33
Dawson Baker | 49.81 | 17/33
 
600M
Chereice Cope | 1:37.20 | 4/18
Tamijah Scriven | 1:41.78 | 9/18
 
800M
Kirk Dawkins | 1:51.66 | 2/26
Alesia Douglas | 2:11.25 | 3/28
Lacie Deboskie | 2:15.30 | 7/28
William Shelton | 1:54.80 | 11/26
Madison Gordon | 2:19.38 | 15/28
 
1000M
Kirk Dawkins | 2:27.07 | 2/12
 
MILE
Tara Bert | 5:05.40 | 13/28
 
SP
Kennedy Hill | 10.89m (35' 8.75") | 10/20
Bryce Webb | 13.54m (44' 5.25") | 16/27
 
DMR
Tara Bert, Madison Gordon, Alesia Douglas, Lacie Deboskie | 12:32.23 | 6/8
 
4x400
Norman Mukwada, Rancesson Grace, Kennith Martin, William Shelton | 3:11.18 | 5/13
Lacie Deboskie, Kirah Copeland, Madison Gordon, Chereice Cope | 3:52.09 | 5/13
 
Personal Record
Season Best

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