EL PASO, Texas - Junior Chelsea Salisbury earned East Carolina's first NCAA qualification mark of the season after a second-place finish in the hammer throw event during first-day action at the Conference USA Track & Field Championships late Thursday night at Kidd Field.

Salisbury recorded a personal-record toss of 54.47 meters to earn a runner-up standing behind champion Nina Schvedoff (56.40) of UTEP. After fouling on her first two attempts, Salisbury produced her top throw and then followed with 54.44 and 49.62-meter totals.

Salisbury also became the Pirates' first NCAA qualifier after seven regular season meets, besting the minimum qualification mark of 54.15. The regional post-season appearance will be her first in the hammer event after advancing in the javelin throw a year ago.

Using Salisbury's performance, the Pirates completed the first day of action in fifth place with eight points, trailing leader Rice (17) by nine. UAB and host UTEP are currently in second place with 14-point totals while Memphis holds down fourth with nine tallies.

The C-USA Championships will continue Friday with 16 women's events scheduled, which include both field and running competitions.