Track And Field And Cross Country Programs Add 25 For 2019-20

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field Curt Kraft, along with head cross country coach Josey Weaver, will officially welcome 25 newcomers to campus this fall to attend East Carolina University and compete for the Pirates.

The group includes 11 men and 14 women.

"We are very excited about all of the student-athletes that we have signed for the class of 2019," Kraft said. "We have a wide range of talent on both the men's and women's sides. They are all great athletes but, equally as important, they are all great people and awesome students. We expect all of them to make an impact on our teams immediately. We feel as a staff that all the new additions, along with all of all the returnees, will make for a great team."

Royal Burris, Sprints, Charlotte, N.C. (Harding University High School)
55m – 6.39
100m – 10.64
200m – 21.32
300m – 35.24

2019 NCHSAA 4A State Runner-up (55m)
2019 3rd place finisher NCHSAA 4A State (300m)
2019 3rd place finisher NCHSAA 4A State (200m)

"Burris comes to ECU from Harding University High School. He only has one season of indoor and two seasons of outdoor experience in the sprints as his initial focus in high school was football. He will run each of the sprint disciplines at ECU but will primarily focus on the 200m. He brings signature speed to our sprints and relays group and is expected to make an immediate impact to the present and future success of this group. We're excited to have this competitive minded young man on our team. He is a dynamic sprinter and is expected to bring a lot of excitement to our training culture." – Coach Udon Cheek

Coleman Ferrell, Long Sprints, Greenville, N.C. (D.H. Conley High School)
200m – 22.54
400m – 49.74

"Coleman is one of our own. He's an eastern North Carolina kid from D.H. Conley High School in Winterville. He brings a tough mindset and work ethic that stems from his success in soccer. He has yet to give track and field one hundred percent of his time as soccer has always been his primary sport. He suffered an untimely injury that interrupted the great progress he was making in the 400m and we are looking forward to aiding him in his recovery so that he can build upon the success he was having prior to injury. Coleman is as determined as they come, and we are excited about being a part of his return." – Coach Udon Cheek

Haven Honeycutt, Distance, Asheville, N.C. (Asheville High School)
1600m – 4:19.94
3200m – 9:18.73
5,000m – 15:43.66

2019 New Balance Indoor Nationals - 23rd in the 5,000m run
2019 NCHSAA 3A Indoor State Champion (3200m)
2017 NCHSAA 3A Outdoor State Champion (1600m)
2017 NCHSAA 3A Indoor Runner-Up (1600m)

"Haven joins the Pirates after finishing up a great year at Asheville High School. He is a western North Carolina runner who will bring his talents down to the coast. I personally know the toughness it takes to train year-round where he comes from and we're excited to get Haven in the Purple and Gold." – Coach Josey Weaver

Jake Justice, Pole Vault, Columbus, N.C. (Polk County High School)
Pole Vault Indoor: 14-10
Pole Vault Outdoor: 15-1.5

NC 1-A State Meet Record Holder- 15-1.5
2019 Times News Boys Track Athlete of the Year
2019 NCHSAA 1A Outdoor State Champion (PV)
2019 NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor State Champion (PV)
2018 NCHSAA 1A Outdoor State Champion (PV)
2018 NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor State Champion (PV)
Long Jump-Conference and Region Champion (2019)
Triple Jump-Conference Champion (2019)

"Jake will bring a ton of toughness, versatility and sheer athleticism to this program. He experienced a lot of success this past year by dominating the pole vault in the state of North Carolina for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, which ended in a record-breaking performance at the state meet and sharing the runner-up finish at the Outdoor New Balance National Championships. Jake's impressive marks in the long jump, triple jump and 300m hurdles will help him in his future as a pole vaulter at East Carolina University. Jake has a relentless work ethic and phenomenal positive attitude. We are very excited to welcome him as he will have a huge impact on success to this program moving forward." – Coach Brie Berkowitz

Travis Leach, Distance, High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford High School)
800m – 1:59.60
1,600m – 4:28.28
3,200m – 9:43.15

"Travis is coming off a season where he had personal bests in every one of his true running events. We are excited to get Travis around a very good group of runners. I believe his improvement will be rapid and something we are looking forward to. He is hungry and not afraid of the work ahead." – Coach Josey Weaver

Austin Mathews, Distance, Lexington, Ky. (Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School)
800m – 1:56.10
Mile – 4:12.49
Two Mile – 9:10.03
5K (Track) – 14:59.16

Winner of the Kentucky Dream Mile (2019)
2019 New Balance Indoor Nationals 15th in the two-mile run
NIKE Cross Country National Qualifier (71st at NXN)
Runner up 2018 Kentucky Outdoor State Championship (3A) 1600m

"Austin comes in after a fantastic senior season. He is someone who is willing to pay attention to the little details that separate a good runner from a great one. We believe we have a great runner coming in with Austin and are excited to watch him grow and progress over the next several years to come." – Coach Josey Weaver

Chase Osborne, Distance, Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch High School)
800m – 1:58.78
1,500m – 4:16.24
3,000m – 9:09.65
5K (XC) – 15:28

2019 VHSAA 6A Outdoor State Runner-Up (3200m)
2018 VHSAA 6A Indoor State Champion (1600m)
2018 VHSAA 6A Cross Country State Champion
2018 VHSAA 6A Outdoor State Champion (3200m)
2018 VHSAA 6A Indoor State Runner-Up (1600m)
2017 VHSAA 6A Cross Country State Runner-Up
2017 VHSAA 6A Indoor State Runner-Up (3200m)

"Chase has had a breakthrough year involving school records, outstanding times and developing the ability to race. He can thank Ryan Carroll for this. I am thrilled to have Chase come in as a young gun for us and am excited to watch this young man grow for the years to come." – Coach Josey Weaver

Asa Simmons, Hurdles, Charlotte, N.C. (Ardrey Kell High School)
110H – 14.64
300H – 38.87

"Asa comes to ECU by way of Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte. He is a self-taught hurdler that has loads of potential in both the long and short hurdles. Asa is a student of his event and we are excited about guiding his passion for hurdling. ECU has a history of developing hurdlers and we believe that Asa can add to the legacy of our rich tradition in the event." – Coach Udon Cheek

Ted Sielatycki, Distance, Cary, N.C. (Cary High School)
800m – 1:58.53
1,600m – 4:22.50
3,200m – 9:33.71

All-American performer in the 4xMile Relay – New Balance Nationals
State Champion 2019 North Carolina Outdoor State Championships (4A) 4x800m Relay
State Champion 2018 North Carolina Indoor State Championships (4A) 4x800m Relay

"Ted comes to us from right up the road in Cary. He is an individual who we see being a contributor in many ways. He can range from the mid-distance group up to the long-distance group. He is used to being part of a great team and should feel right at home here at ECU." – Coach Josey Weaver

Zachary Wadas, Long Sprints, Spotsylvania, Va. (Courtland High School)
200m – 21.59
300m – 35.37
400m – 48.74

"Zach is a coach's dream as he is very eager and hard working. Zach is a well-rounded athlete that specializes in the long sprints. He is known for fantastic finishes as the anchor on his high school 4x400m relay teams. He runs with great posture, rhythm and form. We are eager to further develop Zach's strengths. He is very hungry to learn and contribute. His competitive nature will bring a lot of fire to our training culture." – Coach Udon Cheek

Niejel Wilkins, Jumps, Kinston, N.C. (Kinston High School)
Triple Jump – 48-9.25
Long Jump – 22

2019 NCHSAA 2A Outdoor State Champion (Triple Jump)
2019 NCHSAA 2A Indoor State Champion (Triple Jump)

"Niejel grew up in eastern North Carolina where he witnessed what it was like to be a part of Pirate Nation. We are very excited to have him come in with a tremendous upside. He will be part of a young jump squad that will be exciting to watch over the next four years. We love keeping local athletes here at home." – Coach Jeffrey Artis-Gray

Rebekah Bergquist, Throws, Fort Myers, Fla. (Southwest Florida Christian Academy)

2019 FHSAA 3A State Champion (Discus)
2019 FHSAA 3A State Champion (Javelin)
All-Time leading point scorer in the state of Florida (Basketball)
3A Player of the Year (Basketball)
2019 All-State Volleyball
2019 All-State Basketball

"Rebekah comes in with high hopes as a freshman. She is extremely athletic & used to being a team player. Rebekah has the ability to re-write the record books here at ECU. I can't wait to get her here on campus and go to work. – Coach David Price

Joya Blackwell, Jumps, Ahoskie, N.C. (Coastal Carolina University)
High Jump – 5'6

2017 NCHSAA 2A Outdoor State Champion (High Jump)
2017 NCHSAA 2A Indoor State Runner-Up (High Jump)
2016 NCHSAA 2A Outdoor State Runner-Up (High Jump)
2015 NCHSAA 2A Outdoor State Champion (High Jump)

"We are extremely excited to have Joya Blackwell join our Pirate track family. We recruited her out of high school, and, at the same time, we knew that she was a great athlete and a wonderful person. We expect her to contribute in the high jump area and she will also be competing in the multi events." – Coach Curt Kraft

Lena Calkins, Pole Vault, Schenectady, N.Y. (Mohonasen High School)
Pole Vault: 11-3

Suburban Council All Star
Warrior of the Week Award (for making 5th State Championship meet)
Colonial Council All Star
Artemis Award winner (exceeds in Academics and Athletics)

"Lena is a very talented student-athlete as she excels both in the classroom and on the track. She is an extremely athletic young lady who will add immense talent to the program. She has a contagious personality, a positive attitude and a relentless work ethic. We are very excited to welcome her to the program." – Coach Brie Berkowitz

Shekinah Cooke, Throws, Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford High School)

2019 NCHSAA 3A State Champion (Discus)

"Shekinah has Pirate pride already. Her father, John Cooke, played for the Pirates in the 1991 Peach Bowl. She comes from a very athletic family and she likewise fits that mold. We are excited to build on the tradition of athletics in her family for the next four years at East Carolina University." – Coach David Price

Ansley Frady, Javelin, Spartanburg, S.C. (Broome High School)

Member of the North/South All-Star Team (Volleyball)
2019 3A Softball Player of the Year (South Carolina)
2019 All-State Softball Team
2018 All-State Softball Team

"We are excited to have a raw athlete with tremendous arm speed learn the javelin event. She is not afraid of hard work and we can't wait to watch her progress." – Coach David Price

Laura Green, Distance, Budd Lake, N.J. (Mount Olive High School)

1,600m – 5:00.09
3,200m – 10:50.53
5K (XC) – 18:07.23

"Laura comes in with a lot of untapped potential. Her high school coaches have set her up for a great collegiate running career. To be successful up north, like Laura has been, requires you to be tough and mentally strong. I can't wait till she gets to train with her teammates and enjoy the comfortable year-round training weather here at ECU." – Coach Josey Weaver

Destiny Griffin, Throws, Rural Hall, N.C. (West Forsyth High School)

2019 NCHSAA 4A State Runner-Up (Shot Put)
2019 NCHSAA 4A Indoor State Champion (Shot Put)

"Destiny enjoyed a lot of success during her last year of high school. She not only won an individual state title in indoor track but was also a part of her school's state champion basketball team. Destiny will grow here as a Pirate and we are looking forward to the journey ahead." – Coach David Price

Rosalynd Hollingsworth, Short Sprints, Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek High School)
60m – 7.49
100m – 11.69
200m – 24.65

2019 KHSAA State Champion (100m)
No. 1 all-time in Kentucky (100m – 11.69)

"Rosalynd has become the fastest 100m sprinter that Kentucky has ever produced. She has great power and focus. Her background as an elite gymnast enables her to bring a unique quality of controlled power to the short sprints. Her recent storied success was aided by her decision to lay gymnastics aside to train exclusively as a sprinter. Rosalynd has a quiet confidence that speaks louder than words and we are excited about what she brings to our culture. Her determination to be an elite sprinter should set a tone of competitiveness in our training sessions to in turn bring the best out of the entire training group. Rosalynd will play a significant role in the success of our short sprints program. She will likely raise the standard of our program which is always the desire of our staff." – Coach Udon Cheek

Alex Montoya, Distance, Cary, N.C. (Cary High School)
1,600m – 5:23.52
3,200m – 11:42.25
5K (XC) – 19:30

"Alex comes to us from up the road in Cary. She knows very well about Pirate Nation once you cross I-95. Alex looks to continue to develop into the runner we all believe that she can and will become. I am excited to watch her work toward her goals." – Coach Josey Weaver

Melicia Mouzzon, Short Sprints, Youngsville, N.C. (Heritage High School)
100m – 11.73
200m – 24.46

2019 North Carolina runner-up in the 100m

"Melicia is an amazing athlete. She's a coach's daughter and thus understands the demands of training. Melicia lettered in both basketball and track and field thus has never competed in a full season of track and field as her high school basketball team often went deep into the playoffs, conflicting with indoor track as well as the beginning of outdoor track. She may be the most explosive sprinter we have ever brought on board. We believe that her natural explosiveness will convert well over to the short sprint events. Her mental toughness from basketball should help her greatly as our staff teaches her to control her power. Her contribution to the short sprints program could be immeasurable upon learning to master the craft of sprinting. Melicia has all the ingredients to assault the ECU record books in the short sprints. We expect big things from her." – Coach Udon Cheek

Rachel Northcutt, Distance, Moseley, Va. (Cosby High School)
1,600m – 4:59.91
3,200m – 10:48.83
5K (XC) – 17:35

State Champion 2017 Virginia Indoor State Championships in the 1600m
Runner up 2016 Virginia Indoor State Championship (6A) in the 3200m
Runner up 2015 Virginia Cross Country State Championship (6A)

"Rachel had to deal with some adversity during her senior year. She has stayed committed and improved each week. Rachel will be coming in with more work to do, however, she is competitive and knows how to win. We will be smart in easing Rachel back, but watch out down the road for Rachel Northcutt." – Coach Josey Weaver

Christina Skinner, Distance, Chesapeake, Va. (Western Branch High School)
1,600m – 5:19.51
3,200m – 11:37.18

"Christina comes in with only two years of running under her belt. She is still new to the sport and has a huge upside. Christina will get to learn on the fly with our lady Pirates and get to test her limits in practice each day." – Coach Josey Weaver

Jenna Strange, Distance, Lexington, Ky. (Tates Creek High School)
1,600m – 4:57.85
3,200m – 11:02.49
5K (XC) – 18:22.90

State Champion 2019 Kentucky Outdoor State Championships (3A) 3200m
State Champion 2019 Kentucky Outdoor State Championships (3A) 1600m

"Jenna enjoyed a great outdoor track season. She has a lot of potential to become a great runner at the collegiate level. Jenna has been a dual sport athlete throughout her high school career. She has enjoyed playing soccer while competing in cross country/track. To do this you have to be tough and willing to race bruised up and not at your best. I can't wait to see Jenna at her best while wearing the Purple and Gold." – Coach Josey Weaver

Candice Whitley, Throws, Raleigh, N.C. (UNC Charlotte)

2017 NCHSAA Outdoor State Champion (Discus)

"We are very excited to be adding Candice to a young group of throwers here at ECU. Her experiences at the NCAA Division I level will help our throws squad mature as a group. We expect Candice to become a leader and introduce herself to the American Athletic Conference very soon." – Coach David Price

Track And Field And Cross Country Programs Add 25 For 2019-20

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