Coach Garfield Ellenwood II has FAMU track sprinting towards a SWAC championship trifecta

Will the third time also be the charm for Florida A&M’s competitive running program?

It could be.

The Rattlers are pursuing their third Southwestern Athletic Conference title of the 2023-2024 season in this week’s outdoor championships in Baton Rouge from Thursday to Saturday.

FAMU women’s track won the SWAC cross country title last October and the league’s indoor championships last February.

“Oh, it’d be tremendous if we could pull it off,” said FAMU director of track and cross country Garfield Ellenwood.

“At the end of the day, it’s going to be the Lord’s will; all we can do is control our performances and let the chips fall where they may. I’m excited about where we are right now. We had a couple of people dinged up, but we’ve gotten over those injuries.

“Now it’s just about lacing them up and putting one foot in front of the other.”

FAMU’s women’s cross country SWAC title was the first of the athletic year. Moreover, the women’s track team winning the SWAC Outdoor Championships was the first, and so far the only, FAMU spring sport to be crowned champions.

The last team to win the women’s cross country, indoor, and outdoor SWAC championships was Alabama State in 2016 to cap off a six-year run. The only other SWAC teams to accomplish the feat are Prairie View A&M in 1977, Southern in 1993, and Alabama State in 2005.

The Rattlers know they’d be in rare company if they capture three titles in a single season.

“All we’re trying to do is keep that same momentum and encourage one another to reach our goals as a FAMULY,” said FAMU track’s team captain Lacie Deboskie. “We’re going to reach our goals because we’re here for each other and love seeing everybody grow.”

Under Coach Garfield Ellenwood, FAMU's track and field program on upswing

Ellenwood has been around the block of track and field.

He’s coached for Olympic teams, Power Five programs, and HBCU schools.

Now, Ellenwood aims to retain FAMU’s historic track culture that stands on the shoulders of Rattlers of yesterday, such as FAMU Hall of Fame coach Bobby Lang, Pro Football Hall of Famer ‘Bullet’ Bob Hayes, and sportscaster Pam Oliver.

“I want to build a program that they’d be proud of. If we can surpass what they did, they should be proud of us,” Ellenwood said.

“FAMU has the name from the academic standpoint and prowess. It’s history here. It’s just trying to put the track and field program to meet the academics.”

Deboskie, a mid distance runner, arrived at FAMU from Dallas, Texas.

She cherishes the journey she’s taken from the southwest to the Panhandle to run for FAMU as it looks to collect SWAC medals, the league trophy, and earn national reach.

“Coach Gee is working hard to make sure we elevate in every aspect. He’s trying to change the program,” said Deboskie, FAMU’s 800-meter record holder. “We’re trying to fight with those Big 10’s and SEC’s to show that HBCUs can fight like others.”

Winning the SWAC Outdoor Championships will land FAMU’s fifth league title in the last calendar year, joining baseball, women’s cross country, football, and women’s indoor track and field.

And though Ellenwood and his athletes are already responsible for two titles, he still doesn’t want outdoor track and field to be omitted from FAMU’s championship list.

So, he’s motivated to bring more SWAC hardware back to the Highest of Seven Hills.

“It would be a great honor,” Ellenwood said of sweeping the SWAC and adding to FAMU’s trophy case.

“We don’t want to be left out when everybody else is getting it done. We’re trying to set the bar, and hopefully, we’re doing our part to raise the athletic footprint for the university.

“Our goal is just to hold our own.”

For the complete SWAC Outdoor Championships schedule, click here.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Track: Rattlers going for three SWAC titles in a single year