LYNCHBURG, Va. – Duke’s track and field team kicked off the indoor season impressively, showcasing their strength by dominating eight events at the Liberty Kickoff. Over the course of the two-day event, the Blue Devils achieved a total of 23 top-three finishes and 35 top-five results. HOW IT HAPPENED: Graduate student Christian Johnson secured the […]
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Duke’s track and field team kicked off the indoor season impressively, showcasing their strength by dominating eight events at the Liberty Kickoff. Over the course of the two-day event, the Blue Devils achieved a total of 23 top-three finishes and 35 top-five results.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Graduate student Christian Johnson secured the first victory for Duke of the weekend during the men’s weight throw on Thursday night, marking the beginning of the 2024-25 season with an outstanding performance.
- Johnson delivered his top throw during the sixth attempt, sending the weight flying 22.45m (73-7.75 feet) to clinch the win. This distance surpassed the runner-up’s mark – teammate Christian Toro (20.28m/66-6.25 feet) – by more than seven feet, and also exceeded Johnson’s own program record by nearly two feet.
- The Blue Devils accrued seven of their eight wins on Friday, starting with junior William Skelly in the men’s mile and graduate student Birgen Nelson in the women’s 60m hurdles.
- Skelly achieved a time of 4:08.19, placing him at the forefront of the competition, while Nelson sprinted to a personal best of 8.33 seconds to secure her victory – which ranks No. 4 in the program’s history.
- TJ Clayton sped to success in his inaugural meet as a Blue Devil, thanks to a personal best in the 60m final.
- The graduate student finished with a time of 6.77 seconds, placing him fourth in Duke’s all-time records. Clayton also performed admirably in the men’s 200m, making his way into No. 3 all-time at Duke with a time of 21.58 seconds.
- The women’s sprints team contributed to Duke’s success with three of the next four event wins, with the Blue Devils claiming top honors in the 300m, 500m, and 4x400m relay.
- Junior Julia Jackson topped the Duke all-time list in the 300m, surpassing teammate Megan McGinnis for the No. 1 position after achieving a personal best of 37.91.
- Duke demonstrated remarkable speed, claiming four of the top-five placements in the event.
- Amber Wimbish had a spectacular collegiate debut, earning her first event win with a time of 1:14.61 in the 500m race.
- A triumphant first-place finish in the women’s 4x400m relay concluded the meet on a high note for Duke. Comprised of graduate student Kyla Krawczyk, freshman Emily Royce, senior Meredith Sims, and junior Lauren Tolbert, the Blue Devil team clocked in at 3:44.66, two seconds ahead of the runner-up (Virginia).
- Freshman Luke Thompson finished the list of winners for Duke, completing his 3000m in 8:20.80 for his first collegiate victory.
- Senior Max Forte showcased an incredible performance in the men’s heptathlon, highlighted by a record-setting personal best in the heptathlon long jump of 7.44m (24-5 feet), establishing a new record at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
- Forte concluded the series with a collegiate best of 5,598 points, placing him second all-time in program history, which included two event victories and four personal bests.
- Moreover, the Blue Devils made notable updates to the program record books in the men’s 60m hurdles, men’s 200m, and men’s and women’s 300m events.
- Sophomore Michael Scherk tied for No. 2 all-time in the program after finishing second in the 60m hurdles with a personal best of 8.07 seconds.
- Freshmen Braelyn Baker, Andres Langston, and Joseph Taylor had strong starts to their Duke careers, each placing second in their respective races.
- In the 300m dash, Taylor’s time of 34.20 seconds positioned him at No. 3 all-time, while Baker’s time of 38.34 seconds secured the No. 5 spot in Duke history.
- Langston ran in the 500m, marking himself Nº 4 in Duke history with a time of 1:03.43.
- To view the complete meet results, click HERE.
UP NEXT:
Duke will continue its indoor season after the holiday break, heading down Tobacco Road for the Dick Taylor Carolina Challenge on Jan. 18.
For the latest updates on Blue Devils cross country and track & field, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook by searching “DukeTFXC.”
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke marks its Centennial, celebrating one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. This historic occasion will enhance the understanding of Duke’s history, cultivate pride, bolster connections, and prepare for a second century of excellence and impactful leadership. For more information, please visit 100.duke.edu
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