Duke Track & Field Closes Indoor Regular Season with Eyes on Postseason Momentum
As the indoor track and field regular season winds down, Duke isn’t easing off the gas. Instead, the Blue Devils are splitting their talent across two major meets this Valentine’s weekend, with 47 athletes competing at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational and the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, both set for February 13-14.
And make no mistake-this isn’t just a tune-up. It’s a chance for Duke to sharpen its edge before the postseason grind begins.
Two Meets, One Mission
Duke’s roster is divided strategically: 29 athletes will head south to Clemson, while 18 make the trip north to Boston. The dual-meet approach gives the coaching staff flexibility to place athletes in events and environments that best suit their strengths-and the early returns this season suggest that strategy is paying off.
Graduate standout Stephanie Moss is coming off a stellar weekend at the JDL Camel City Invitational, where she earned ACC Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week honors. Her performances weren’t just fast-they were elite.
Moss clocked 4:11.96 in the 1500m En Route and 4:29.99 in the mile, both personal bests and both top-10 times nationally this season. She’s now ranked third in the NCAA in the 1500m and eighth in the mile, while also holding the 21st-best time in the 5000m.
Simply put, she’s peaking at the right time.
She’s not alone.
National Rankings: Blue Devils in the Spotlight
Eight Duke athletes currently hold top-25 national rankings in their events-a testament to the depth and versatility of this squad:
- Braelyn Baker - 9th in the 300m
- Bailey Goggans - 21st in the 600m, 22nd in the 500m
- Abby Hassman - 23rd in the 5000m
- Julia Jackson - 2nd in the 500m
- Andres Langston - 15th in the 500m
- Stephanie Moss - 3rd in the 1500m, 8th in the mile, 21st in the 5000m
- Lauren Tolbert - 3rd in the 500m, 12th in the 600m, 24th in the 300m
- Beck Wittstadt - 15th in the 1500m, 19th in the 1000m
In the team events, the women’s 4x400m relay-featuring Jackson, Tolbert, Maya Collins, and Baker-is ranked 10th in the NCAA, a strong indicator of the group’s chemistry and raw speed.
Recapping the Last Time Out
Duke’s most recent outings at the JDL Camel City Invitational and Doc Hale Invitational offered a glimpse of just how dangerous this team can be, even with a lighter squad in action. Across both meets, the Blue Devils collected six event wins, several top-five program marks, and a slew of personal bests.
- Riley Newport delivered a breakthrough in the men’s 600m, clocking 1:19.66 to grab first place and strengthen his hold on the No. 3 spot all-time in Duke history.
- Beck Wittstadt showed his tactical chops in the men’s 800m, surging late to secure the win in 1:49.88. His ability to shift gears mid-race was textbook championship racing.
- TJ Rowan rose to the moment in the men’s unseeded pole vault. After passing on the first three heights, he cleared 5.33m (17-5.75) on his second attempt-a personal best that ties him for No. 2 all-time in program history.
- Ella Johns notched her first collegiate victory in the women’s open mile, crossing the line in 4:56.70, a personal best that could be a launching pad for more to come.
What’s Next: All Eyes on the ACC Championships
With the regular season wrapping up, the focus now shifts to the ACC Indoor Championships, set for February 26-28 at the TRACK at New Balance in Boston. These final tune-ups at Clemson and BU are more than just prep-they’re proving grounds.
Duke has depth. Duke has stars. And if this past weekend was any indication, the Blue Devils are ready to make serious noise when the postseason lights come on.