ECU Opens 2018 Season At Carolina Challenge

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU cross country program begins a new campaign Saturday, participating in the Carolina Challenge at the Sandhill REC 5K Course on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

The women's 5K is set for 9:00 a.m., with the men's 5K following 40 minutes later. The awards ceremony is scheduled tentatively for 10:15 a.m.

Fans attending the event, which is free to the public, should enter the Sandhill REC site at the traffic signal at Promenade Place and Clemson Road.

The Pirate men's squad returns four of its top five runners to the fold, highlighted by 2017 All-American Athletic Conference performer and senior Nick Ciaccia who finished 14th at the league meet last season. The returners will be complemented by five newcomers, including graduate transfer student Alex Boseman – a two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association honoree at UNCW.

On the women's side, senior Grace Sullivan leads a strong returning group that features last season's top five runners. Sullivan placed sixth at the AAC Championships to snag all-conference accolades. Other Pirates to watch include senior Sarah Hamon and junior Mikayla Stoudt.

Last year, the men finished fourth at the AAC Championships, marking the highest-ever finish for the squad since joining the league. Additionally, both teams placed in the top 20 at the NCAA Southeast Regional for just the third time in school history.

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Players Mentioned

Alex Boseman

Nick Ciaccia

Sarah Hamon

Mikayla Stoudt

Grace Sullivan

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