Feb. 13, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. - The Florida A&M Men's and Women's Track teams will compete against the field this weekend for their respective titles in the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16, here at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, beginning Friday at 9 a.m. with the men's heptathlon and women's shot put.

FAMU teams will be vying to end their respective championship droughts this weekend in indoor competition.

•Coach Rey Robinson's Rattler thinclads are gunning for their first indoor title since 2005, while Coach Maicel Malone's Lady Rattler squad will be in pursuit of their first conference indoor title since 1999, beginning Friday.

The Hampton Lady Pirates will compete for their sixth consecutive MEAC indoor track and field title. As a team, the Lady Pirates have 10 top five finishes in the MEAC in 14 scored events.

Freshman Racquel Vassell ranks among the top five in MEAC women's indoor performances in three separate categories including third in the 60-meter dash (7.57) and 60-meter hurdles (8.47) and fifth in the 200-meter dash (24.80). After a break-out freshman campaign, sophomore Francena McCorory continued her stride from a year ago. McCorory provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.88 at the Christopher Newport Invite.

On the men's side, Norfolk State will compete for their third straight MEAC indoor crown and fifth overall.

Sophomore Corey Vinston won the 60-meter dash at the Father Diamond Invite and clocked in at 6.69, which is the fastest 60-meter time in the MEAC this season. Vinston's mark was provisional qualifying time for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Teammate Marlon Woods earned seven top-ten finishes in jumping events this season including the high jump at the Father Diamond Invite (6-10.75 ft.) and the long jump (24-03 ft.) at the Virginia Tech Invitational.

In addition to the men's heptathlon and women's shot put, Friday's events include the men's and women's long jump, the men's pole vault final, and the women's high jump. The afternoon kicks off the men's and women's 800m run, 60m hurdles, 60m dash, 200m dash, and 400m dash. Closing out the day will be the men's and women's distance medley relay.

The final day of competition starts Saturday beginning at 9 a.m., with the women's pole vault and pentathlon events. Early afternoon field events include the men's heptathlon, shot put, high jump and triple jump. Spectators will see the men's and women's mile run, 60m hurdles, 60m dash, 200m dash, and 400m dash. The championship will conclude with the women's 3000m and men's 5000m run and the highly anticipated men's and women's 4x400m relay.

Admission for the Indoor Track and Field Championships is $5 for adults and $3 for students, children, and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex the day of the event.

For the latest on MEAC Indoor Track and Field and other sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACsports.com.