Pirate Women Dominant at 10th Annual Bill Carson Invitational

Friday, April 5

Greenville, N.C.

East Carolina University

Bill Carson Invitational

Pirate Women Dominant at 10th Annual Bill Carson Invitational

April 06, 2024 | Track & Field

Results (Web)Results (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina women's track & field team broke a meet record with 311 points as they won in dominant fashion at the 10^th Annual Bill Carson Invitational while the Pirate men took third with 145 points.

As has become customary, Royal Burris and Melicia Mouzzon were dominant in the sprints. The seniors led a Pirate sweep of the men's and women's 100m and 200m. Burris with times of 10.43 and 20.68 seconds, hist first time under 21 seconds this outdoor season. Mouzzon posted times of 11.31 and 23.30 seconds, respectively. That 200m time for Mouzzon while not a PR is still better than all but one other athletes in program history – Mouzzon broke the program record just a week ago with her 23.20 performance at N.C. State. Mouzzon's times were also both meet records while Burris' 200m gives him the three fastest times in meet history.

Lily Schlossberg in the mid-distance was due for a breakthrough and finally got it with her 2:12.49 outing in the 800m. That time was good for the event win and also moved her into 10^th in program history in the event.

The Pirates also got several notable event winners including Sydni McMillan who provided a controlled effort in the final of the 100m hurdles with a 14.00-second effort after running an impressive 13.37 seconds in the preliminary rounds.

In the longer events, the Pirates cleaned up as well. Jessica Neal and Navaya Zales took first and second in the women's 1,500m while on the men's side Cooper Kleckner led a 2-3-4-6 finish for the guys. It was an ECU sweep in the 5,000m runs as well with Allysa Combs and Claire Cashman leading the way on the women's side and Ted Sielatycki and Conner O'Shea following suit in first and second on the men's.

Over in the throws, Naadiya Faison took care of business as usual in the women's shot put but did so with a rare mark under 15 meters, but it was just barely with a 14.92m winning mark.

In the women's discuss, it was a 1-2-3 sweep for ECU with Rebekah Bergquist, Sashoy Benbow and Cassidy Clark besting the competition while Shakiel Dacres took the victory on the men's side with his 49.32m toss.

Meanwhile
Colin McCauley competed at William & Mary's Colonial Relays in the 10,000m and was brilliant with a 31:05.67 finish. His performance was good for ninth in the meet and ranks as the fifth-fastest time in ECU history.

Team Results
Women
1. East Carolina, 311
2. UNCW, 136
3. Mount Olive, 129
4. N.C. State, 46

Men
1. UNCW, 217
2. Mount Olive, 190
3. East Carolina, 145
4. N.C. State, 16

Quotable
"Both teams competed extremely well in front of our home fans," said Director of Track & Field Curt Kraft. "We had numerous personal bests throughout the weekend once again. Competing at home always adds an extra element into their performances. Our Senior Day recognition was another wonderful event for all the families and the student athletes that have put multiple years into our program. I feel like the performances that we had today will continue to provide enthusiasm and excitement as the season moves forward. Now we have to turn our attention to next weekend and have a great week of practice."

Up Next
The Pirates will be back in action at the Duke Invitational, April 11-13 in Durham, N.C.