Buccaneer Invitational Schedule

Buccaneer Invitational Performance List

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman track and field returns to Johnson City, Tenn. for the second time this season as the Eagles gear up for the Buccaneer Invitational.

Tentatively, the meet is the last on the schedule before the South Atlantic Conference Indoor Championships at JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem, N.C.

Coach David Needs said that this weekend serves as a chance for many to improve and solidify positions at the upcoming conference meet on Feb 29-March 1.

"Both teams are (also) committed to being as high as we can in the region, too," Needs said. "A lot of those athletes are out there trying to improve their region place and maybe earn all-region or by performing as best as they can."

In the return to ETSU, the meet serves as the third in just four weeks for a squad that has earned multiple SAC Athlete of the Week honors and a plethora of gold medals. The conditioning has helped improve high level of consistencies amongst each athlete.

"In track it's still about putting in your best performance every time you get on the track," Needs said. "Whereas some sports you can play at 90 or 95 percent, you want to be as close to 100 as you can."

Coming off of a gold in the long jump in his first-ever collegiate meet, long jumper Theo Devillard (France) will look to continue learning with the coaching staff heading into the weekend. With a mark of 6.83m last weekend at the Finn Pincus Invitational, the baseline has been set to work from in the effort to get the newcomer fully situated with the program.

"When you have international athletes, a lot of times, it's about finding a comfort spot because they've probably been coached to do it a certain way for a long period of time," Needs said. "Now you're trying to make refinements and adjustments, and that's certainly part of the process."

Junior sprinter Devon Moore (Baxley, Ga.) will focus his efforts on the 200-meter dash while also running the 60-meter dash as well. Already holding the eighth-fastest time in the 200 at 21.47, coach Needs hopes that his 200 time can match his 60 speed in being the fastest athlete in all of Division II.

With a national championship time locked, Moore can focus on training on an indoor track with banking and not chasing the timer, but instead working on the fine details of his craft.

"Eventually, our hope and goal is for him to be a national champion in two events," Needs said.

In the high jump, both Danilo Cardoso (Brazil) and Nathalie Schumacher (Germany) will hope to continue clearing higher and higher marks this weekend. After both being unable to participate for a year, the patience needed has paid off. Against a lot of Division I opponents this weekend, it's crucial to get a feel for rhythm throughout the competition.

Athletes to watch for include sprinter Tia Davis (Chattanooga, Tenn.) who will return after injuries sidelined her for last weekend's event. Needs mentioned how strong and reliable of a runner she has been for the Eagles, with Needs feeling "really good" about her return.

Distance runner Conal McCambridge (United Kingdom) is another athlete of note for Needs. Coming off of a personal best in the 5000 meters with a first-place time of 15:41.23, McCambridge has "quietly" been putting in an impressive season.

"Whatever race you put him in, he performs at a high level," Needs said.

Friday begins at approximately 10:30 a.m. with the women's 60-meter hurdles and ending at approximately 7:15 p.m. with the 5000 meters. Saturday's slate opens with the women's 3000 meters at 9 a.m. and concludes with the 4x400 relays at 5 p.m. You can find the full rundown of events by clicking here.

Be sure to check back in at CNEagles.com for daily recaps of all of the action from the ETSU Athletics Center.