Track And Field Heads To AAC Indoor Championships

Friday, February 23

Birmingham, Ala.

TBA

East Carolina University

American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships

February 22, 2018 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field

Championship Central | Meet Schedule | Live Results

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU track and field program will travel to Birmingham, Ala., this weekend for the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. The meet is scheduled for Feb. 23-24 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

The event kicks off Friday morning at 10 a.m. with the beginning of the Pentathlon competition.

"Both teams are extremely excited to compete at our indoor championships this weekend," Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country Curt Kraft said. "Hopefully, all the hard work and preparation up to this point has positioned both teams to compete at a high level. One of the unknowns is always how the athletes are going to compete in a championship environment. That is where the leadership and experience comes into play. I feel very strong about our upperclassman leadership and their ability to lead some of the younger kids through a championship environment.

"One of the things we look for as a coaching staff is improvement for each and every meet. Hopefully this will be our best indoor meet of the year. I am confident that if we stay focused and compete hard, the results will be positive."

The conference sports a number of strong programs. However, ECU is sending some of its own standout athletes including junior thrower Ryan Davis who currently leads the American Conference in the weight throw. His mark of 16.09 meters is the third-longest toss in program history and currently ranks 25th nationally.

Kraft expects a number of athletes to make the jump to their next level at this meet, specifically junior distance runner Stefano Migliorati in the 800m and mile, juniors Hakeem Horton and Courtney Warner in the sprint disciplines and senior Mohogany Baker in the throws.

"We expect big things out of these individuals and look for them to lead the team," Kraft stated.

In addition to the veteran student-athletes, there will be 16 freshmen that will see the big stage of the conference championships for the first time.

"Regarding the freshmen, some will be nervous and overwhelmed," Kraft added. "There is nothing that can duplicate experience so we just hope that those individuals bring it and prepare themselves."

The Pirates will attempt to better their placements in the team standings from last year's championships when the men took sixth place and the women captured eighth. Houston and UCF are the respective defending men's and women's team champions.