Vesper Record, Distance Success Key Pirates at Duke Invitational
April 13, 2024 | Track & Field
DURHAM, N.C. – Starrett Vesper took down the East Carolina decathlon record and the distance group placed their names all over the record books as the Pirate track & field team competed at the Duke Invitational on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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Vesper was due, standing at third in ECU history in the decathlon, under 100 points off of the record entering the weekend. He got off to a brilliant start on Friday, launching the best shot put ever by a Pirate in the decathlon with a mark of 13.02m and setting himself up for a big day on Saturday. He then did what he was supposed to do as Vesper dominated in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.73m while holding serve in the remaining events to reach his final total of 6,724 points, bettering Dylan Spadaccini's benchmark by 90.
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In addition to Vesper, the Pirates' distance group had a phenomenal weekend. Lily Schlossberg got the group started with the No. 7 time in program history in the 1,500m with a time of 4:33.21 while finishing third overall. On the men's side, J Henry Lyon posted the No. 5 time in program history with his 3:50.65 time in the 1,500m, also finishing third.
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Going into longer events, Zach Willer showed his talent in the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 9:23.17, good for seventh all time despite clipping a barrier and taking a tumble in the race. Also on the men's side, Cooper Kleckner capped Friday evening off in the 5,000m with the No. 4 time in ECU history, finishing in 14:45.72.
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In the sprints, the men's 4x100m team posted the No. 8 time in ECU history as the finished in 39.91 seconds, good for second in the meet. In the 100m, Carlmelo Martin took third as an individual with a 10.42-second effort.
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In the women's 100m, Melicia Mouzzon took second overall with a time of 11.35 seconds. In the 100m hurdles, Sydni McMillan took third with a 13.69-second performance.
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Up Next
 The Pirates will split up next week with athletes heading to N.C. A&T and Wake Forest for the Aggie Classic and Wake Forest Invitational.
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Vesper was due, standing at third in ECU history in the decathlon, under 100 points off of the record entering the weekend. He got off to a brilliant start on Friday, launching the best shot put ever by a Pirate in the decathlon with a mark of 13.02m and setting himself up for a big day on Saturday. He then did what he was supposed to do as Vesper dominated in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.73m while holding serve in the remaining events to reach his final total of 6,724 points, bettering Dylan Spadaccini's benchmark by 90.
Â
In addition to Vesper, the Pirates' distance group had a phenomenal weekend. Lily Schlossberg got the group started with the No. 7 time in program history in the 1,500m with a time of 4:33.21 while finishing third overall. On the men's side, J Henry Lyon posted the No. 5 time in program history with his 3:50.65 time in the 1,500m, also finishing third.
Â
Going into longer events, Zach Willer showed his talent in the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 9:23.17, good for seventh all time despite clipping a barrier and taking a tumble in the race. Also on the men's side, Cooper Kleckner capped Friday evening off in the 5,000m with the No. 4 time in ECU history, finishing in 14:45.72.
Â
In the sprints, the men's 4x100m team posted the No. 8 time in ECU history as the finished in 39.91 seconds, good for second in the meet. In the 100m, Carlmelo Martin took third as an individual with a 10.42-second effort.
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In the women's 100m, Melicia Mouzzon took second overall with a time of 11.35 seconds. In the 100m hurdles, Sydni McMillan took third with a 13.69-second performance.
Â
Up Next
 The Pirates will split up next week with athletes heading to N.C. A&T and Wake Forest for the Aggie Classic and Wake Forest Invitational.
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
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