Feb. 12, 2006

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After setting a new school standard in the weight throw a week ago at the Husker Invitational, junior Eric Frasure repeated the feat, this time in the shot put, to lead East Carolina to a ninth-place finish at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup which was held at the Ashenfelter Track Center inside Penn State University's Multi-Sport Complex over the weekend.

Frasure posted a record-toss of 16.44 meters to earn a fifth-place finish in the event, which bested a 32-year-old previous standard of 16.36 set by Dennis Moody in 1974. In addition, Frasure also captured his fourth weight throw title of the season after finishing first with a NCAA provisional qualifying effort of 20.55 meters - his second longest performance of the season.

The Pirates tallied a total of 27 points, 2.50 behind eighth-place finisher Virginia Tech and 98 points behind champion host Penn State.

Two East Carolina sprinters earned top 10 finishes in the 200-meter dash as senior Reggie Williams established a new personal record with a time of 21.67 to stand fifth while Kevin Thompson turned in a 10th-place standing with a career-best clip of 21.89. Williams also posted a personal-best mark of 6.86 during a preliminary heat in the 60-meter dash before finishing eighth overall (6.94). Freshman Jerek Hewett was clocked at 6.91 to pick up a seventh-place standing in the same 60-meter event.

Other top 10 finishers include freshman Brandon Small (48.92/10th in the 400 meters), senior Kyle Yunaska (PR 1:53.89/8th in the 800 meters), freshman William Collins (PR 4:17.51/9th in the mile run), freshman Chestnut O'Neal (PR 6.62/10th in the long jump) and junior Terrance Myers (PR 18.43/8th in the weight throw).

ECU's 4x400 relay squad, consisting of Andrew Barber, Kris Bell, James Dillard and Small, also produced a 2006 program-best time of 3:16.61 (fifth-place), shattering the previous top effort of 3:22.74 (Liberty On Track Open).

The Pirates will take a week off to prepare for the Conference USA Indoor Championships, scheduled for Feb. 24-26 in Houston, Tex.

MEN's TOP 10 PERFORMANCES
60 Meters
7. Jerek Hewitt, 6.91
8. Reggie Williams, 6.94
200 Meters
5. Reggie Williams, 21.67
10. Kevin Thompson, 21.89
400 Meters
10. Brandon Small, 48.92
800 Meters
8. Kyle Yunaska, 1:53.89
One Mile
9. William Collins, 4:17.51
4x400 Relay
5. East Carolina "A" (Barber, Bell, Dillard, Small), 3:16.61
Long Jump
10. Chestnut O'Neal, 6.62
Shot Put
5. Eric Frasure, 16.44
Weight Throw
1. Eric Frasure, 20.55
8. Terrance Myers, 18.43