Pirates Begin Season At Elon Opener

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina returns to a more traditional cross country competition season starting Friday evening with the Elon Opener at the Elon Cross Country Course. The meet is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m. with the women's 4K race before the men run the 6K approximately 30 minutes later.

Competing Teams: Campbell, Davidson, Duke, East Carolina, Elon, Guilford College, Gardner-Webb, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, UNC Greensboro, UNCW and Winthrop

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECU was able to run in just one event last season – the American Athletic Conference Championships. Both the men and women captured sixth place while Tulsa claimed both team titles.

The Pirate women return four of their top five runners from the league meet, including all-conference honoree Lindsay Yentz who turned in a time of 21:38.31 in the 6K to finish in eighth place. Anna Bristle, Jaeden Phelix and Abby Yourkavitch are also back in the fold as East Carolina looks to move up the AAC ladder.

The men's squad could also be in for a breakout season, returning virtually its entire roster. Chase Osborne was the best finisher at the league championship meet in February, running an 8K time of 25:04.84 to place 17th – just two spots shy of all-conference designation. Matthew Russell, Austin Mathews, Josh Spare and Colin McCauley rounded out the top five.

The Pirates have welcomed 10 newcomers to the mix this season – six women and four men – including transfers Alex Sawyer (William & Mary), Lily Schlossberg (William & Mary) and Alyssa Zack (Embry Riddle).

Up Next: Following the Elon Opener, East Carolina treks to Charlottesville Sept. 17 for the Virginia Invitational.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Anna Bristle

Austin Mathews

Colin McCauley

Chase Osborne

Jaeden Phelix

Matthew Russell

Alex Sawyer

Lily Schlossberg

Josh Spare

Lindsay Yentz

Abby Yourkavitch

Alyssa Zack

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