Ellis Becomes First Blue Devil To Jump 25 Feet

Friday, February 20

Blacksburg, Va.

All Day

Duke University

Day One

Matulewicz, Ellis Secure Wins On Second Day Of Open

Ellis Becomes First Blue Devil To Jump 25 Feet

2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field

By: Duke Sports Information

BLACKSBURG, Va. ? Senior Jade Ellis leapt 25-2 ? in the long jump Friday night, becoming the first Duke athlete to jump over 25-feet in the event either indoors or outdoors. The mark highlighted a strong day-one performance for the Blue Devil men's and women's track & field teams at the Virginia Tech Challenge in Blacksburg, Va.

Duke is going up against 19 other collegiate programs in the two-day meet, which serves as a preview for the ACC Indoor Championships which will be held next week, Feb. 26-28, also at Virginia Tech.

Ellis' mark landed him in third place in the event, as he scored first among ACC and IC4A performers on his way to an NCAA Provisional mark and another IC4A qualifier.

Ellis's mark was one of two Duke records on the day, as Mike Schallmo broke his own record in the weight throw, tossing 52-2 for fifth place. Schallmo's mark improved his personal-best by nearly two feet.

The women's highlights included freshman Esther Vermeer in the 1000-meters, as she took second overall in a personal-best and ECAC qualifying time of 2:54.59.

In the women's pole vault, Sally Liu jumped a season-best 11-5 ? to take third.

Duke continues competition at the home of the Hokies tomorrow.

-d-u-k-e-