June 12, 2010

EUGENE, Ore. - The East Carolina track and field program's 2010 season came to an end Saturday, as freshman Tynita Butts cleared 5.98 meters in the long jump for 16th-place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field.

The rookie qualified for the event by taking the 12th and final spot at the East Regional in Greensboro two weeks ago.

Butts was one of four Conference USA competitors in the event field, as Blessing Okagbare of UTEP took the national title with a mark of 6.79 meters.

The appearance capped off a solid freshman campign for the Alexandria, Va., native. She captured numerous honors, including All-America status in the high jump, C-USA Indoor and Outdoor Freshman-of-the-Meet and both indoor and outdoor high jump titles.

The Pirates return both national qualifiers next season - Butts and 2010 C-USA javelin champion Matthew McConaughey.