Track & Field Set for Action at Virginia Challenge
April 17, 2015 | Track & Field
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina track and field program is coming off of its best outing of the outdoor season as the Pirates set four school records last weekend in the Bill Carson Invitational. This weekend, ECU looks to carry the momentum into the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Va. The two-day meet runs from Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18.
The Virginia Challenge is one of the largest meets in Lannigan Field history as 35 schools will bring more than 1,000 student-athletes to compete.
"We are coming off of a great weekend of confidence and enthusiasm from our home meet," Head coach Curt Kraft said. "The attitudes and focus of both the men's and women's teams is at an all-time high. We are excited to take these emotions into this weekend's meet at Virginia."
Earlier this week, junior high jumper Avion Jones took home his fourth American Athletic Male Field Athlete of the Week honor after winning the event at the Bill Carson Invitational with a clearance of 2.20-meters (7' 2.5") to rank sixth in the nation.
In addition to Jones' efforts, the Pirates won a total of 11 event victories, while Tania Minkins, Cheyenne Hutchinson, Henry Johnson and Jorge Montes each set a new school record.
Minkins ran a new PR in the 100-meter dash (11.45), while Hutchinson tied the record in the 100-meter hurdles (13.34). Johnson bested his previous school record mark in the pole vault (5.18-meters) and Motes shattered the 3,000-meter run record with a time of 8:33.35.
The Pirates look to continue to set personal record times and marks this weekend as they go up against tough competition at the Virginia Challenge. This weekend's meet will be one of the last competitions ECU will have before heading to Storrs, Conn., for the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships May 14-17.
"We have to continue to improve each of these last couple of weekends to prepare for the Outdoor Championships," Kraft explained. "We, as a coaching staff, are really pleased with how everyone is performing. We have to keep them focused and hungry."
Players Mentioned
