Rattlers volunteer coach and Olympian trainee Alexandra Webster trains as she prepares for the 2028 Olympics. (Jovanna McLaren-Wade/FAMUAN)
The Florida A&M University track and field program is making history this spring, as several sprinters continue to break school records and set new standards for the program.
In February alone, three athletes set SWAC records, and one of them has the fastest time in the NCAA. Hurdler Leonard Mustari finished first in the 60-meter hurdles on Jan. 30 at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina with a time of 7.57 seconds. Not only did he win the race, but he also set a new school record.
Earlier, at the UAB Blazer Green and Gold Invite on Feb. 6 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, Mustari ran 7.65 to win the men’s 60-meter hurdles, sending a signal to the nation that he is not playing around this season. At the time, that mark ranked No. 1 in the NCAA, No. 2 in the nation and No. 4 in the world.
Mustari says standout performances are the expectation for him every time he crosses the finish line.
“It’s more like I knew I was going to do it.” Mustari said. “The work ethic is just being disciplined, staying focused and not letting distractions get to you.”
Mustari says he isn’t done yet, stating he has many goals this season, including winning nationals.
“My goal for this 2026 indoor season is to win nationals, become a national champion, and for outdoors to stay healthy and place in the top eight, get on that podium for outdoor nationals,” Mustari said.
Many athletes in the track program besides Mustari have been breaking records. Freshman sprinter Janaree Kinchen ran a personal best of 7.34 seconds in the 60-meter dash at the Badgers Windy City Invitational on Feb. 6 at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center in Chicago, Illinois, which ranks No. 1 in the SWAC.
Senior Darien Lawrence recently set two school records at the Jimmy Carnes 2026 Invitational on Jan. 16 in Gainesville, Florida, finishing the men’s 60‑meter dash in 6.59 seconds and the men’s 200‑meter dash in 20.96 seconds. Both marks are school records.
Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Garfield “Coach Gee” Ellenwood II says the team’s recent success this season is the result of what they’re trying to build.
“The athletes we’ve recruited are buying into what we’re trying to sell,” Ellenwood said. “It’s a testament to what we’re doing and what we’re trying to build.”
Ellenwood says he’s grateful the athletes chose to represent FAMU even though they all had other options.
“I’m very proud of these athletes,” Ellenwood said. “The fact that they chose to come to an HBCU when they could have gone somewhere else shows they believe in what we’re building here.”
Garfield also says the idea that HBCU athletics are looked down upon is a misinterpretation, saying the programs are often overlooked because of limited resources.
“I wouldn’t say we’re looked down upon, but because we don’t have some of the resources, we get overlooked,” Ellenwood said. “It’s about athletes believing that coaches at this HBCU can develop them to the next level if given the opportunity.”
Garfield says what helps a program more who is trying to build is when athletes return to volunteer.
Former Florida State University sprinter, Olympian trainee and Rattlers volunteer coach Alexandra Webster says these athletes can compete with anyone regardless of division.
“Honestly, it’s just amazing,” Webster said. “I’m proud of them because they’ve learned a lot through training, and it shows in their results. They can hang with anybody; they’re just as elite as any other Division I athlete, and their times prove it. Some of them even qualify for the NCAAs.”
As a former Division I athlete, Webster says it feels good to pass on her knowledge to these athletes because she sees potential in all of them.
The Rattlers are training hard for the upcoming SWAC Championships, where they are expected to have multiple contenders. (Jovanna McLaren-Wade/FAMUAN)