Hampton University has made a big splash in the Big South Conference.

With men’s and women’s Big South Outdoor Track and Field Championships fueling momentum, the Pirates are hunting for a bigger prize at the NCAA East Regional May 23 through 25 in Jacksonville, Fla.

HU will be well represented in both the men’s and women’s divisions in Florida.

Qualifying for the NCAA regionals is Autumn Smith, Asha Copeland, Isis Brooks and Mallory Pitchford in the 4x100 relay; Smith in the 400-meter hurdles; and Jaelan Leonard in the javelin.

Pitchford is a junior from James River High School in Chesterfield County.

Competing in the men’s division in Jacksonville will be Jaelen Williams in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles, and Dylan Beard and Charles Graham in the 110-meter hurdles.

HU is coached by Maurice Pierce and Yvette Lewis.

This is the Pirates’ first season competing in the Big South Conference after many years in the MEAC. HU won the Big South men’s and women’s title during competition May 8 through 10 in Rock Hill, S.C.

The men’s team won the conference title with 188.5 points, compared to 181 for second place Campbell University.

The Lady Pirates won with 206.5 points, compared to 194 for runner-up High Point University.

The NCAA National Championships are set for June 5 through 8 in Austin, Texas.

HU has a solid history with track and field champions, including former NCAA and Olympic champion Francena McCorory from Bethel High School in Hampton. McCorory won the NCAA 400-meters in 2009 and 2010 and ran a leg on the U.S. Olympic gold medal 4x400 relay team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.