Schweitzer Breaks Program Record at Carolina Classic

Friday, February 6

Columbia, SC

East Carolina University

Carolina Classic

February 07, 2026 | Track & Field

COLUMBIA, S.C. – East Carolina Track & Field made the most of a late addition to its schedule, turning in a strong showing at the Carolina Classic hosted by the University of South Carolina on Feb at the South Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex.

Originally competing at the Bob Pollock Invitational, the Pirates had to pivot their plans and pull from the event early due to inclement weather. Despite the last-minute adjustment to the Carolina Classic, ECU delivered multiple podium finishes, personal bests, season bests and nationally competitive marks across sprints, distance, jumps and throws.

On the women's side, Kelly Ufodiama continued her standout indoor campaign, placing second in the 200 meters with a time of 22.90, one of the fastest marks in the field and part of a strong weekend that also included anchoring ECU's runner-up 4x400 relay. Brianna Clayton added a top-10 finish in the same event and helped lead the Pirates to a second-place relay finish.

In the field events, Kira Hawaaboo posted another consistent performance in the long jump, finishing third with a 5.90m mark against a deep SEC-heavy field. Adeline Woodward recorded a fourth-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 3.53m, while freshman Anika Dupreez impressed in the shot put with a third-place throw of 12.39m, continuing her strong debut indoor season.

Distance standout Abrielle Schweitzer delivered one of ECU's top distance performances, finishing third in the mile with a time of 4:49.71, breaking ECU's program record that has been held by Brittany Copeland since 2011, with the time 4:50.70.

On the men's side, Alex Sawyer led the way with a commanding win in the mile, crossing first in 4:05.50 to secure ECU's lone individual victory of the meet. Sawyer's performance highlighted ECU's strength in the middle-distance events and capped a sharp tactical race.

In the throws, Shakiel Dacres continued his consistency with a third-place finish in the shot put, recording a mark of 16.61m against a strong field that included multiple Power Five athletes.

The Pirates also found success in the relays, as the men's 4x400 relay team finished second overall with a time of 3:11.50, narrowly trailing Baylor and showcasing ECU's depth and speed late in the meet.

Women

200m

Kelly Ufodiama – 2nd (22.90)

Brianna Clayton – 10th (24.14)

Deshay Turner – 14th (24.50)

1 Mile

Abrielle Schweitzer – 3rd (4:49.71)

4x400 Relay

Team A (Douglas, Elliott, Clayton, Ufodiama) – 2nd (3:42.40)

Team B (Turner, Minor, Mead, Speller) – 6th (3:51.60)

Pole Vault

Adeline Woodward – 4th (3.53m)

Long Jump