Duke Track and Field Shines at ACC Indoor Championships
BOSTON, Mass. - Duke's track and field team made a strong impression on day two of the ACC Indoor Championships, with standout performances headlined by graduate students and Max Forte, who earned All-ACC Second Team honors in the men's heptathlon.
Blue Devils Advance to Finals
In addition to the all-conference accolades, nine Blue Devils secured spots in the finals across multiple events, including the men's 60-meter hurdles, women's 60 meters, men's and women's 400 meters, women's 800 meters, and the women's mile.
With one day remaining, the Duke women are in fifth place with 18 points, while the men hold sixth with 20 points.
Top Performances
Bennett and Forte wrapped up the men's heptathlon with top-five finishes, both earning All-ACC Second Team honors. Forte accumulated 5,586 points, securing fourth place with standout performances in the long jump and 1000-meter race. Bennett followed closely, finishing fifth with 5,486 points and claiming victory in the 1000m.
Graduate student Stephanie Moss, fresh off leading Duke to gold in the women's DMR, clocked 4:38.17 in the mile prelims, earning her place in the finals.
Junior Michael Scherk blazed through to the 60m hurdles finals, setting a new personal best of 7.81 and breaking a program record that had stood since 1971.
In the 400m events, sophomores Braelyn Baker and Andres Langston, along with seniors Julia Jackson and Lauren Tolbert, advanced to the medal rounds. Langston impressed with a 46.90 in his preliminary race, while Baker and Tolbert finished with times of 52.63 and 52.66, respectively.
Sophomore Maya Collins and junior Mia Edim delivered personal bests to secure their spots in the 60m final. Collins matched her school record with a time of 7.29, while Edim improved her second all-time Duke mark with a finish of 7.33.
Graduate student Beck Wittstadt capped off the group with a solid 800m race, finishing in 1:49.85.
ACC Medalists
- Braelyn Baker - Gold (DMR)
- Abby Hassman - Gold (DMR)
- Stephanie Moss - Gold (DMR)
- Lauren Tolbert - Gold (DMR)
- TJ Rowan - Silver (Pole Vault)
All-ACC Honors
- Braelyn Baker - First Team (DMR)
- Abby Hassman - First Team (DMR)
- Stephanie Moss - First Team (DMR)
- TJ Rowan - First Team (Pole Vault)
- Lauren Tolbert - First Team (DMR)
- Jette Beermann - Second Team (5000m)
- Michael Bennett - Second Team (Heptathlon)
- Max Forte - Second Team (Heptathlon)
- Christian Toro - Second Team (Weight Throw)
- Arabella Wilson - Second Team (Pentathlon)
Looking Ahead
Duke is geared up for the final day of competition at the ACC Indoor Championships. The action-packed Saturday begins with field events at 11 a.m., followed by track events at noon. The Blue Devils are poised for a strong finish, aiming to climb the team standings and bring home more accolades.