Pirates set for American Outdoor Track & Field Championships

GREENVILLE, N.C. — The East Carolina track & field program is set to travel to San Antonio, Texas to compete at the 2024 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships on May 10-12 on the campus of UTSA.

Regular Season Rewind
The team enters the championship meet after a successful regular season which saw four new program records set and 11 more marks added to the top 10 lists in program history. Three of the records came from the women’s side with Melicia Mouzzon in the 200m, Sydni McMillan in the 100m hurdles and Alyssa Zack in the 10,000m. On the men’s side, Starrett Vesper set the program record in the decathlon while also posting the best decathlon shot put in program history as the first man to reach 13 meters in the event.

Entering the meet, five Pirates in seven events are in position to qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary meet, led by McMillan who ranks 17th in the 100mH and Mouzzon who ranks 20th in the 100m and 27th in the 200m. In the throws group, Naadiya Faison stands at 29th in the shot put while Rebekah Bergquist ranks 38th in the discus. On the men’s side, Royal Burris leads the way, standing at 29th in the 100m as well as 40th in the 200m. The top 48 individuals qualify for the Preliminary meet as well as the top 16 relays.

Need to Know
At the American Athletic Conference Track & Field Championships, points are scored by the top eight athletes in each event. The top three, the podium finishers in each event earn All-Conference honors. The MVP award is given to the athlete, men’s and women’s, regardless of field or track, who scores the most points at the meet. The same is true of Freshman of the Year recognition. Men’s and Women’s Staff of the Year is given to the coaching staff of the winning team.

A Year Ago
The Pirate men took seventh and the women finished 10th at the 2023 AAC Outdoor Championships. Burris and Mouzzon torched the program record books to find themselves on the podium with Burris taking second in both the 100m and 200m and Mouzzon taking third in the 100m – Burris was also a part of the bronze-medal winning 4x100m-relay team. Jared Harrell highlighted the success of the team competition, earning co-Freshman of the Year honors, completing the 2023 sweep after winning the award indoors as well.

Quotable
“Both teams are very excited to compete in this weekend’s AAC championships in San Antonio, Texas,” said Director of Track & Field Curt Kraft . “We feel like both teams are well rested both physically and mentally. We have had two great weeks of preparation going into this meet. As always, there is some anxiety that comes along with competing in these championships. Obviously, this is the one meet that everyone wants to peak and do their best at. We have had a great season up to this point, and hopefully that momentum and excitement continues through this weekend. We have set multiple goals for both teams and we feel like we can achieve all these goals. One thing for sure, I know both teams will compete their hearts out and put everything on the line.”

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