Outdoor Track and Field Opens At Coastal Carolina This Weekend

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's and women's track and field teams open their outdoor season this weekend at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.

A record number of 1,400 participants are scheduled to compete in this year's meet. Competition is slated to begin Friday afternoon with the men's hammer throw

and 800-meter relay. The majority of the events will get underway Saturday morning.

"Our main objective is to make a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors." - stated Head Coach Jesse Norman. "Our outdoor season is short so we must be at our best every time we step out on to the track."

On the men's side, middle distance specialist Sam Maynard is scheduled to compete in the 400-meter dash. Maynard who finished fourth in the 800 meters at the Big South Indoor Meet with a time of 1:55, will be joined by fellow teammate Eli Chirchir.

Senior sprinter, Natalie Pearson leads the way for the women. Pearson is scheduled to compete in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. She is one of the top sprinters in the Big South Conference. Fellow teammates Sarah Gentry and Eureka Jones will join her in those events.