Track And Field And Cross Country Add 22 Newcomers For 2018-19

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field Curt Kraft, along with cross country head coach Josey Weaver, will officially welcome 22 newcomers to campus this fall to attend East Carolina University and compete for the Pirates.

The group includes seven men and 15 women, including four transfers from various NCAA Division I institutions.

Alex Boseman, Distance, Raleigh, N.C. (UNCW)

Best Times
3,000m – 8:46.37
5,000m – 15:01.79
8K (XC) – 25:10.10
10,000m – 30:58.09

Coach Weaver on Boseman: "Boseman joins ECU as a graduate transfer from UNCW. He will add valuable experience to a talented men's team. He has posted some impressive marks throughout his collegiate career thus far. We are excited to watch him grow as a leader & a Pirate in the upcoming year."

Kayin Fails, Sprints, Cary, N.C. (Cary HS)

Best Times
200m Dash – 22.14
300m Dash – 35.97
400m Dash – 49.21
500m Dash – 1:04.90

Sprints Coach Udon Cheek on Fails: "Kayin Fails has a perfect build for a quarter miler. His length would cause any college track and field recruiter to be excited about his potential. He has great strength endurance (as referenced in his 500m personal-best time of 1:04.90) and he competes with a chip on his shoulder. He comes to us from Cary where he competed for Cary High School under the tutelage of Jerry Dotson. Our interest was peaked when we heard so many common statements of his character being equal if not greater than his talent level. Kayin is a fighter on the track and joy to be around off of the track. We are pleased to add such character to our team. He will definitely make us better in more ways than one."

Ethan Hageman, Distance, San Antonio, Texas (Holmes HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 4:18.69
3,200m – 9:12.68
5K (XC) – 14:58.63

Coach Weaver on Hageman: "Ethan joins the Pirates after an impressive career at Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas. He will be one of many young guns on this year's team. Ethan is very passionate about the future of this team. He comes in with high expectations and joins a special group of guys. Watch out for his name the next four years."

Mitchell Martin, Distance, Berwick, Pa. (Berwick HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 4:33.80
3,200m – 9:46.76
5K (XC) – 16:23.00

Coach Weaver on Martin: "Mitchell enjoyed the best year of his young running career in both cross country and track and field as a senior in high school. We are excited to get him around a very strong group of guys with which to train. We believe he is just beginning to touch the surface of what is to come."

Garrett Miller, Distance, Wood River Junction, R.I. (Chariho Regional HS)

Best Times
1,500m – 4:27.70
3,000m – 9:05.30
5K (XC) – 16:35.04

Coach Weaver on Miller: "Garrett is joining the Pirates off of a fantastic senior year. He will enjoy getting away from the cold and snow that he has to deal with at home in Rhode Island. He is a very tough competitor, which will benefit his new teammates. The future is bright for Garrett."

Isaac Roberts – Sprints – Greensboro, North Carolina (N.C. Central)

Best Times
60m Dash – 6.98
100m Dash – 10.61
200m Dash – 21.84

Coach Cheek on Roberts: "Isaac is a graduate transfer student from North Carolina Central University. He will be a boost to our men's short sprints and relay programs. Competitive practice atmospheres in training are key in the development of our sprinters. Isaac comes from a competitive training environment and we can't wait to see the added competitiveness we expect him to our practice environment. Isaac is a student of his event and he will serve well as an extra eye in our approach of teaching proper sprint mechanics. There is a luxury in adding graduate students to one's program. Their maturity and experience go a long way. We are excited about the possibilities of this addition."

Nat Romaine, Distance, Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 4:37.90
3,200m – 10:02.50
5K (XC) – 15:39.50

Coach Weaver on Romaine: "Nat comes to us from right up the road in Chapel Hill. He is known as an endurance machine and will greatly benefit from the longer races at the collegiate level. We are excited to see him develop as a Pirate at ECU."

Mia Alamo-Worley, Pole Vault, Weaverville, N.C. (North Buncombe HS)

Top Pole Vault Mark – 12'0"

Runner up 2018 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (3A) in the pole vault
Runner up 2018 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (3A) in the pole vault
Runner up 2017 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (3A) in the pole vault

Pole Vault Coach Brie Berkowitz on Alamo-Worley: "Maria (Mia) joins the Pirates after an impressive career at North Buncombe High School. She was an all-conference performer both her junior and senior years of high school. She was runner up state champion in the pole vault for both the indoor and outdoor seasons of her senior year and was the runner up state champion for the outdoor season of her junior year. She was also the team captain her senior year. Mia spent 11 years as a competitive gymnast which led her to pole vaulting. She is an extremely talented individual and we are very excited to welcome her to the Pirate Family."

Mariah Atwater, Sprints, Charlotte, N.C. (Rocky River HS)

Best Times
100m Dash – 11.94
200m Dash – 24.79
300m Dash – 40.80
400m Dash – 56.32
500m Dash – 1:18.36

Fourth-place finish in the 400m Dash at the 2018 North Carolina 4A State Championships

Coach Cheek on Atwater: "Mariah is a leader by nature and will bring great maturity and focus to our sprints program. Though her focus will be in the long sprints, we believe that she can assist us in our short sprint relays as well. There are indicators in her high school training program that tell us that the best is yet to come. We are looking forward to helping her dig into her treasure trove of talent within. Mariah is a workhorse."

Anna Bristle, Distance, Monroe, N.C. (Parkwood HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 5:02.46
3,200m – 10:52.18
5K – 17:44.15

State Champion 2018 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (2A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2017 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2017 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 1600m
Runner up 2017 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2017 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 1600m

Coach Weaver on Bristle: "Anna is coming off of a tremendous senior year. She placed 17th in the nation in the 5,000m run at the New Balance Outdoor Championships to end her high school career. Anna is a very talented runner who has enjoyed a great high school career. We are excited to see her compete for the Pirates this fall and begin her colligate career. Watch out for Anna Bristle!"

Leya Essex, Sprints, California, Md. (Leonardtown HS)

Best Times
100m Dash – 12.23
200m Dash – 24.61
300m Dash – 40.72
400m Dash – 57.32

Fourth-place finish 2018 Maryland Outdoor State Championship (4A) in the 200m Dash

Coach Cheek on Essex: "Leya is known for her competitive and relentless nature and we welcome that aspect into our training culture. Though she has a wealth of experience in the short sprints, she is gearing her determination to master the 400m. She's one of the most dedicated athletes we've come across and we are looking forward to see how she develops in our system. We believe that Leya will become quite a contributor to our long sprints program and relays. The best description that we can give of Leya is that she is "All In, Always."

Brooke Lindsay, Distance, Cary, N.C. (Cary Christian HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 5:37.45
5K (XC) – 19:08.04

2017 State Champion NCISAA Cross Country

Coach Weaver on Lindsay: "Brooke is coming in with only two years of cross country experience under her belt. She found great success during her last year of high school. Brooke is not afraid of hard work or being challenged. We are excited to get her under the wing of our older Pirates."

Jaeden Phelix, Distance, Monroe, N.C. (Piedmont HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 5:20.31
3,200m – 11:28.69
5K (XC) – 18:42.20

All-State Honors 2016 NCHSAA Cross Country State Championships (8th)
All-State Honors 2017 NCHSAA Cross Country State Championships (9th)

Coach Weaver on Phelix: "Jaeden has seen improvement every year of her high school career. She has demonstrated the ability to lead her team and rise and shine at the big time meets. Jaeden will be joining a deep team and she will be counted on to push and pull her teammates all the way to the top."

Ammahtullah Abdel-Rahman, Distance, Greenville, N.C. (J.H. Rose HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 5:23.06
5K (XC) – 21:40.23

Coach Weaver on Abdel-Rahman: "Ammah will be a Pirate from right down the street. She has witnessed what Pirate Nation is all about and we could not be more excited to have her. She is a Greenville native who will embrace the culture of ECU from day one."

Abby Sweeney, Distance, Owings, Md. (Northern-Calvert HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 5:10.18
3,200m – 11:05.01
5K (Track) – 17:41.03
5K (XC) – 18:44.20

State Champion 2018 Maryland Outdoor State Championship (3A) in the 3200m
State Champion 2018 Maryland Indoor State Championship (3A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2017 Maryland Cross Country State Championship (3A) 5K
Finished 20th in the 5K – 2017 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
Runner up 2017 Maryland Outdoor State Championship (3A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2017 Maryland Indoor State Championship (3A) in the 3200m

Coach Weaver on Sweeney: "Abby comes in as a very talented runner. She capped off her senior year with two state titles. We are very excited to see her race the longer distances in college. Abby will bring a lot of energy and positivity to the team. Abby is someone who will always brighten your day and we will need her positivity all season long."

Tajah Walston, Sprints, Burlington, N.C. (Charlotte)

Best Times
100m Dash – 11.79
200m Dash – 24.00

State Champion 2016 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (2A) in the 100m
State Champion 2016 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 55m
State Champion 2016 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (1A/2A) in the 300m
Runner up 2015 North Carolina Outdoor State Championship (3A) in the 100m
Runner up 2014 North Carolina Indoor State Championship (3A) in the 300m

Coach Cheek on Walston: "Tajah will add depth to our sprints program by specializing in the short sprints and relays. We are pleased to welcome her back home to eastern North Carolina and we look forward to helping her close out her collegiate track career closer to her hometown (New Bern, N.C.). Tajah is a surprise addition to our sprints group but indeed a welcomed one. She has been coached well in high school (Dorel Watley of West Craven High School and Donne Davis of Cummings High School) and college (AJ Kash of Charlotte) and therefore should make a smooth transition into our program. She is very coachable and we are excited to add to her skill set."

Lindsay Yentz, Distance, Bristow, Va. (Patriot HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 4:58.70
3,000m – 10:02.75
3,200m – 10:49.63
5K – 18:23.90

State Champion 2018 Virginia Outdoor State Championship (6A) in the 3200m
Finished 21st in the 5K – 2018 New Balance Indoor Nationals
State Champion 2018 Virginia Indoor State Championship (6A) in the 3200m
All State 2017 Virginia Cross Country State Championship (6A)

Coach Weaver on Yentz: "Lindsay had a breakthrough year as a senior with personal records in all of her events. She has become an elite runner at the high school level. We are looking forward to her continuing this success here at ECU. Lindsay has a personality that spreads through everyone around her. She will be someone to keep an eye on."

Abby Yourkavitch, Distance, Chambersburg, Pa. (Chambersburg HS)

Best Times
1,600m – 4:54.52
3,200m – 10:34.40
5K – 17:20.78

All-State Honors 2018 PIAA Outdoor State Championships in the 3200m (3rd)
Finished 12th in the 5K – 2018 New Balance Indoor Nationals
All-State Honors 2017 PIAA Cross Country State Championships (6th)
All-State Honors 2016 PIAA Cross Country State Championships (10th)

Coach Weaver on Yourkavitch: "Abby was the first Pirate to commit to us in this class. She just wrapped up her career by finishing 10th in the nation in the 5,000m run at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships. Abby will be expected to bring her leadership and work ethic to ECU. She is very competitive and has enjoyed individual and team success throughout her high school career. We are very excited to add Abby into our family. Her future is very bright."

Throws Group
Naadiya Faison – Monroe HS | Charlotte, N.C.
Mya Muse – Northeastern University | Vestal, N.Y.
Maya Stanley – Northside HS | Jacksonville, N.C.
India Williams – Lakes HS | Lakewood, Wash.

After graduating two stalwart throwers with three individual conference titles, the Pirates have reloaded with four highly explosive lady hurlers. What is now becoming a tradition of developing championship caliber throwers, throws coach David Price will begin the process with Naadiya Faison, Mya Muse, Maya Stanley and India Williams.

Coach Price on the throws group: "These ladies, like all the others we've had come through the program, do not have eye popping numbers in high school but do have speed. When speed is guided in the right direction, then speed will kill."

Track And Field And Cross Country Add 22 Newcomers For 2018-19

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