
Pirates Set for Cross Country Season Opener
September 18, 2024 | Cross Country
GREENVILLE, N.C. - After the weather got in the way of their planned season opener, the East Carolina cross country team will finally get 2024 underway at the Adidas XC Challenge hosted by NC State at WakeMed Park on Friday evening. Live results will be available via Flash Results.
The Pirates return to the meet after finishing sixth on the women's side and fifth on the women's side in 2023. Alyssa Zack led the way for the ladies with her 18th-place finish in the meet while Alex Saywer paced the guys in 11th.
"We are excited to finally get the season underway against some great competition," said head coach Billy Caldwell. "The men and women came back to campus ready to go after a great summer. The culture of our team is continuing to evolve, and the newcomers have done a great job engaging and helping that progression from the time they stepped on campus. I'm excited to see where they are at for the first time this year and give ourselves a baseline to work off of as the season gets going!"
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The Pirates enter their third year under Caldwell this season and do so with a deeper lineup, particularly on the women's side where the addition of seven freshman, transfer Kaylee McCullough and transfer Katrina Ford who joined the team during the 2024 track & field season. On both sides, fans can look for some familiar faces including graduates Lily Schlossberg and Hayley Whoolery on the women's side and veteran runners J Henry Lyon and Sawyer on the men's side.Â
Despite their home opener being canceled, the Pirates will still get to compete in front of their home fans as they will host their annual Pirate Invitational later in the season on October 4.
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The Pirates return to the meet after finishing sixth on the women's side and fifth on the women's side in 2023. Alyssa Zack led the way for the ladies with her 18th-place finish in the meet while Alex Saywer paced the guys in 11th.
"We are excited to finally get the season underway against some great competition," said head coach Billy Caldwell. "The men and women came back to campus ready to go after a great summer. The culture of our team is continuing to evolve, and the newcomers have done a great job engaging and helping that progression from the time they stepped on campus. I'm excited to see where they are at for the first time this year and give ourselves a baseline to work off of as the season gets going!"
Â
The Pirates enter their third year under Caldwell this season and do so with a deeper lineup, particularly on the women's side where the addition of seven freshman, transfer Kaylee McCullough and transfer Katrina Ford who joined the team during the 2024 track & field season. On both sides, fans can look for some familiar faces including graduates Lily Schlossberg and Hayley Whoolery on the women's side and veteran runners J Henry Lyon and Sawyer on the men's side.Â
Despite their home opener being canceled, the Pirates will still get to compete in front of their home fans as they will host their annual Pirate Invitational later in the season on October 4.
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