HEADLINES
Moore revamps Lady Rattlers track team with 17 signees
FAMU women's track and field coach Darlene Moore didn't waste a single opportunity this Summer. With the support of the athletic department and the university, she has embarked upon a single goal. "I'm not putting together a team, but attempting to build a program," Moore said of her signing of 17 student-athletes. Many of her signees are state champions and were recruited by major colleges across the country.
Moore, who won 12 conference championships, eight at Fort Valley State and four at Albany State, looks to put the Lady Rattlers back in contention for the MEAC crown. "This year's signing class has me excited. I'm excited because these ladies chose to be in my inaugural recruiting class to getting the program back to days of prominence. I made a commitment to the athletic department to bring in not only the best athletes but also the brightest. These young ladies are the true definition of a FAMU athlete," Moore added. She was referring to the fact that 15 of the 17 signees have above 3.0 grade point averages.
In order to build a program, you need to make sure your athletes stay the course and grow together. "I look to have four propsperous years with each one of them," Moore said of her class. She spares no words in stating her goal for next season. "I look forward to them as a whole to make an immediate impact in the MEAC, regional and national stage," Moore confidently said.
Lady Rattler Track & Field Signees:
• Ariel Allen- Jacksonville, FL- Forrest High School- State Runners- Up in 800m Run/ Cross Country Standout.
• Wendy DeShommes- Winter Haven, FL- Winter Haven High School- Sprinter- District runner up in 200m, 4 x 100m Region Champions, Track State finalist for 2 years, 2009 Homecoming Queen
• Cynia Clark- Lithonia, GA- Redan High School- 2009 State Champion in Triple Jump. Also, a phenomenal shot put thrower.
• Brittany Jones- Tallahassee, FL- Rickards High School- 2010 State Champion in 300m Hurdles and also a strong 400m runner.
• Clarricia Golden- Sumter, SC- Mid-Distance/Distance- Top Senior African-American distance runner in the State of South Carolina, Finished 6th at State Cross country Meet. Also, top mid-distance in track and field. Highly recruited by South Carolina State Univ, USC, North Carolina State Univ, Coastal Carolina, and Eastern Carolina.
• Juna Esperance- Orlando, FL- Oakridge High School- Jumper/Hurdler- 2010 State Champion in Triple Jump. Third in 2009 state in Triple Jump. Highly recruited by UCLA, Rutgers, FIU, and UAB.
• Nakia Linson- Tucker, GA- Tucker High School- Excellent Sprinter. 2010 State Runner-up in 200m Dash. Also a State finalist in Long jump and 400m Dash.
• Joan C. Maritim- Nairobi, Kenya- A powerhouse distance runner, specializing in the 3000m, 5,000m and 10,000m.
• Netali Chapple- Orlando, FL- Oakridge High School-Distance- Ranked 19th in her Class of 404 students. Cross Country State Participant
• Lakeisha Jackson- Albany, GA- Monroe High School- Hurdler/Sprinter/Jumper- FOUR-TIME State Champion- State Champion in 100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles and 4 x 100m Relay, State finalist in 4 x 400m Relay. Great Long and High Jumper. Highly recruited Univ of Georgia, Westerm Kentucky, SCSU, Albany State Univ, and Kennesaw State.
• Shanay Mayes- Orlando, FL Oakridge High School -Mid-Distance/Distance- State standout in 800m Run and Cross country- Recruited by Tennessee State Univ, Rutgers, Morehead State and FIU.
• Chandelic Jackson- Dallas, GA- East Paulding High School- Distance- One of the TOP African-American distance runner in the state of GA. 2010 State Runner-up in 800m Run and top 10 finalist in Mile Run. Superb Cross Country Runner and Highly recruited by GA Tech, Kennesaw State, FIU, Jacksonville State , & Georgia State.
• Stephanie Mayfield- Orlando, FL- Oakridge High School-Distance- Ranked 14th in her Class of 404 students. Cross Country State Participant
• Rateema Stanley- Dublin, GA- West Laurens High School-Sprinter/Jumper- State runner up in 400m dash, state finalist in 200m dash, 4 x 100m Relay & high jump.
• Richena Louis- Winter Haven, FL- Winter Haven High School- Sprinter- District, Region, and State standout. State finalist in 100m and 200m Dash.
• Roniqua Yocum- Orlando, FL- Timber Creek High School- Sprinter- District, Region, and State standout. State finalist in 400m Dash.
• Stephaun Martinez- Leesburg, FL- Leesburg High School- Mid-Distance standout.
