HOUSTON, Texas -- East Carolina's men's and women's track teams finished the first day of the Conference USA Championships, being held at the University of Houston in the Yeoman Field House. The ECU men are currently in seventh place while the Lady Pirates are in eighth, with many of both squads' strongest events still to come.

The Lady Pirates earned seven points on day one. Tara DeBrielle, Terri Davenport, Kimberly Lash and Kay Livick made up the distance medley relay team that finished fourth (12:08.59).

Tammie Mentzel placed seventh in the pole vault (11-01.75) and Nicole Marchewka finished tenth (10-02.00).

In the 800 meter run Tara DeBrielle placed eighth in the preliminaries and will compete tomorrow in the finals (2:15.63).

After day one the men are in seventh place with 18 points. In the field finals De'Von Carter won the weight throw (58-01.75) and Mayso Porch placed seventh (47-07.75). Renaldo Isaac finished seventh in the long jump (23-00.50).

The distance medley team of Kristian Jorgensen, Domonick Richmond, Ricardo Bell and Kyle MacKenzie finished fifth (10:14.97).

Julien Dunkley earned first place in the preliminary 60-meter dash (6.71). Jeremy Carter placed ninth (6.88) in the 60m and eighth in the 200m (22.12) and third in the 60m hurdles and will compete tomorrow in the finals for all three events.

Ronnie Pollard finished sixth in the 60-meter hurdles prelims (8.35).

Four Pirates placed in the prelims of 400m and will compete in the finals tomorrow, B.J. Henderson placed second (47.84), Darrus Cofield earned fourth (48.93), Domonick Richmond took fifth (49.00), and Michael Hillian took seventh (49.26).

In the 800m preliminaries Ricardo Bell was third (1:57.61) and Jamal Nisbett took seventh (1:58.93).

The Pirates finish the C-USA Championships Saturday in Houston.