GREENVILLE, NC – After weather derailed its planned season opener, the East Carolina cross country team will finally kick off 2024 on Friday night with the Adidas XC Challenge hosted by NC State at WakeMed Park. Live results will be available via Flash Results.

The Pirates return to competition after finishing sixth and fifth in the women’s division in 2023. Alyssa Zack With her 18th place, she led the women’s competition, while Alex Saywer set the pace for the men in 11th place.

“We are excited to finally start the season against great competition,” said head coach Billy Caldwell. “The men and women have returned to campus ready to go after a great summer. Our team’s culture continues to evolve and the newcomers have done a great job of participating and driving that evolution from the beginning. I’m excited to see where they are for the first time this year and get a baseline to build on when the season starts!”


The Pirates enter their third year under Caldwell this season and do so with a broader lineup, especially on the women’s team, where the addition of seven freshmen, transfer players and Kaylee McCullough and transmission Katrina Ford who joined the team during the 2024 athletics season. On both sides, fans can look forward to some familiar faces, including graduates Lily Schlossberg And Hayley Whoolery on the women’s side and experienced runners J Henry Lyon and Sawyer on the men’s side.

Even though their first home game has been canceled, the Pirates will still be able to compete in front of a home crowd as they host their annual Pirate Invitational later in the season on October 4.