Bulldogs Prepare for Big South Conference Outdoor Meet

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's and women's outdoor track and field teams return to action this week at the Big South Conference Championships hosted by Charleston Southern.

Competition will get underway Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with the men's javelin. The meet will conclude with the women's 1,600-meter relay Saturday afternoon at 3:55 p.m.

Senior sprinter Natalie Pearson returns to action this weekend in both the 100 and 200 meters. She took first in both sprint races at the Duke Invitational. In the process, Pearson broke her own school records in both races with times of 11.71 and 23.62.

Other women's competitors to keep an eye on include: Melanie Kulesz (17:48 - 5000), Alyska Kalmeijer (2:20.35 - 800) and Ashlei Clodfelter (36.95m - Javelin).

Multi-event specialist Simon Haake leads the men's team this weekend. He will be looking to improve his school record performance of 63.81m. Haake will also be taking part in the decathlon for the first time this season.

Other men's competitors to look out for include, Sam Maynard (1:52.96 - 800), Eli Chirchir (1:53.52 - 800) and Jordan Yarbrough (6.83m - Long Jump).