GAINESVILLE, FL -- Members of East Carolina's men's and women's track teams participated in the NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track Championships on Friday. The championships are being held at Percy Beard Track & Field on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Sophomore Hector Cotto (Holly Springs, N.C.) recorded a time of 14.35 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles preliminaries. His time was good enough to finish in 20th place, but was not able to qualify for the finals. The men's 4x100 relay team, comprised of Damarcus Fox, DeAndre Hyman, Robert Tillman and B.J. Henderson, just missed qualifying for the finals and finished 11th with a time of 40.59.

In other men's action, Ricky Bell (Havelock, N.C.) finished 30th in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:57.34, while junior hurdler Ron Pollard was disqualified from the 400-meter hurdles after recording a false start.

On the women's side, senior Tara DeBrielle placed 20th in the 800-meter preliminaries (2:10.96), while Tammie Mentzel was unable to clear 3.61 meters in three attempts in the pole vault.

Five more Pirates will try to land a spot in the NCAA Championships on Saturday, with senior Colleen McGinn competing in the high jump and Thomas Lewis, B.J. Henderson, Ricky Bell and Darrus Cofield competing in the 4x400 relay.

NCAA East Regional Championships (May 28)

Men's 4x100 Relay (Prelims)
11. East Carolina 40.59

Men's 110 Hurdles (Prelims)
20. Hector Cotto 14.35

Men's 400 Hurdles (Prelims)
-- Ron Pollard False Start

Men's 800 Meter (Prelims)
30. Ricky Bell 1:57.34

Women's Pole Vault (Finals)
-- Tammie Mentzel 3.61m (NH)

Women's 800 Meter Run (Prelims)
20. Tara DeBrielle 2:10.96