Friday, August 30
Boone, N.C.
5:00 p.m.
East Carolina University
vs
Covered Bridge Open
Meet Day: East Carolina Opens 2019 At Covered Bridge Open
August 28, 2019 | Cross Country
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina men's and women's cross country teams will begin their highly-anticipated 2019 season at the Covered Bridge Open Friday, Aug. 30, in Boone, N.C. The women's 5K is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. followed by the men's 8K approximately 45 minutes later.
Â
The Pirates are slated to face host Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Florida State, High Point, Spartanburg Methodist, UNC Asheville, USC Upstate and Western Carolina. Notably, both the Seminole men and women are ranked No. 2 in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region preseason poll while the women are also 20th in the national poll.
Â
"We are very excited to open up our season," head cross country coach Josey Weaver said. "Our athletes have put a lot of work in this summer, and we are excited to see exactly where we are at right now. We will get the opportunity to race a few regionally ranked teams and see where we stack up."
Â
The ECU women welcome back the bulk of their roster from last season that saw the Pirates finish sixth at the American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships and 18th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Sophomore Anna Bristle earned all-conference honors as a freshman thanks to a 14th-place result at the league meet.
Â
"Our women's team returns everyone from the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship while adding five new freshmen," Weaver stated. "These young guns have stepped up right away and really bought into our program. I can see this group being special come November."
Â
On the men's side, sophomore Ethan Hageman is one to watch after a successful rookie campaign. He began his collegiate career with a 5K time of 15:26 to place second at the Carolina Challenge before taking 24th at the AAC Championships and 72nd at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Â
"Our men's team will have to replace three members from the NCAA Southeast Regional team," Weaver added. "This will be done by committee. We brought in five freshmen to go along with a solid group of guys returning. Very excited to watch this young group progress into November and throughout this year."
Â
The Pirates are slated to face host Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Florida State, High Point, Spartanburg Methodist, UNC Asheville, USC Upstate and Western Carolina. Notably, both the Seminole men and women are ranked No. 2 in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region preseason poll while the women are also 20th in the national poll.
Â
"We are very excited to open up our season," head cross country coach Josey Weaver said. "Our athletes have put a lot of work in this summer, and we are excited to see exactly where we are at right now. We will get the opportunity to race a few regionally ranked teams and see where we stack up."
Â
The ECU women welcome back the bulk of their roster from last season that saw the Pirates finish sixth at the American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships and 18th at the NCAA Southeast Regional. Sophomore Anna Bristle earned all-conference honors as a freshman thanks to a 14th-place result at the league meet.
Â
"Our women's team returns everyone from the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship while adding five new freshmen," Weaver stated. "These young guns have stepped up right away and really bought into our program. I can see this group being special come November."
Â
On the men's side, sophomore Ethan Hageman is one to watch after a successful rookie campaign. He began his collegiate career with a 5K time of 15:26 to place second at the Carolina Challenge before taking 24th at the AAC Championships and 72nd at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
Â
"Our men's team will have to replace three members from the NCAA Southeast Regional team," Weaver added. "This will be done by committee. We brought in five freshmen to go along with a solid group of guys returning. Very excited to watch this young group progress into November and throughout this year."
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
ECU Tennessee Post Cliff Godwin
Friday, May 29
ECU Regional Preview
Thursday, May 28
Post-Game Reaction Following ECU's 2026 American Baseball Championship Victory (May 24, 2026)
Sunday, May 24
ECU vs WSU Post
Sunday, May 24
