BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Florida A&M's strong showing at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational was highlighted by elite middle-distance performances from Kirk Dawkins and Tara Bert, who were both recognized as SWAC Track Athletes of the Week following their podium finishes against a nationally competitive field.

Kirk Dawkins | Men's 800 Meters
Dawkins delivered one of the meet's most impressive performances in the men's 800 meters, clocking a 1:53.01 to finish second overall. The senior paced a deep Rattler middle-distance group, helping Florida A&M place three athletes inside the top seven of the event. His time stood as one of the fastest 800-meter marks recorded by a SWAC athlete this indoor season and showcased his ability to compete stride-for-stride with runners from Power Five programs.

Dawkins' performance anchored Florida A&M's presence in the middle distances and played a key role in the Rattlers' balanced team showing across sprints, jumps, and distance events.

Tara Bert | Women's 800 Meters & Mile
On the women's side, Bert continued her strong indoor campaign with a third-place finish in the 800 meters, posting a time of 2:12.47 in a highly competitive race. She followed that effort with a top-10 performance in the mile, crossing the line in 4:56.23, further underscoring her range and consistency.

Bert's double contributed valuable points and momentum for the Rattlers, as she competed effectively across multiple distance events against a deep national field.