Hopkins Captures ACC Title

Thursday, April 21

Durham, N.C.

All Day

Duke University

Day One at ACC Outdoor Championships

4/21/2011 10:10:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C.- Both the Duke men's and women's track teams sit in first place after outstanding performances in the throws and 10k.

Andrea Hopkins, who came in with the top seed mark in the women's javelin, was the first Duke athlete crowned champion when she put out a 155'1” throw in the second round and never looked back, edging out the competition by a foot and a half. Also scoring for the Blue Devils were Shannon Sullivan's fourth place, 146', throw and Amy Matulewicz's seventh place toss of 138'11”. Also picking up points in the throws, and the title of All-ACC, was freshman Erica Brand in the women's discus. Sitting in eighth place after four rounds, Brand catapulted herself into second place with a 160' throw.

In the lone running event of the day, Carly Seymour was unable to hold off a late kick by N.C. State's Andie Cozzarelli but held her ground to capture All-ACC honors with a third place finish with a time of 34:19.95 in the 10k.

For the men, Mike Schallmo came up big for Duke in the men's discus. His opening throw was good enough to hold on to second place, but the senior set a new personal best in the fifth round with 181'4” effort. Teammate Michael Barbas was able to put up a second round toss of 158'11” for fifth place while Austin Gamble's first round throw of 156'11” landed him in the sixth place.

Fifth year senior John Austin had a monster opening round throw of 231'1”, a new personal best and school record. Unfortunately, Virginia Tech's Matthias Treff's throw of 239'6” knocked Austin into second place. Freshman Stephen Castiglione finished his first ACC Championship with a seventh place throw of 185'2”.

The track saw seniors Bo Waggoner and Josh Brewer battle from start to finish in the 10k. The two finished fourth and fifth when they were unable to catch up to a late surge from the lead runners. Waggoner's time of 29:46.64 shoots him into the all time Duke record book. Brewer also ran a personal best of 29:53.69.

Thursday also saw the first day of competition conclude in the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon with sophomore Curtis Beach in second place after having the second best marks in the 100m, long jump and high jump and the best time in the 400m. In her first outdoor multi, freshman Miray Seward is currently sitting in 13^th after a strong finish in the high jump.

The men's team, with 34 points, is currently 11 points ahead of the second place N.C. State and the women have 31, 10 ahead of second place Clemson. This is the highest point total after the first day of ACC's in Duke history.

The meet continues tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the second day of the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon. You can find live results, stream info and schedule at the official championship homepage of the ACC.

-D-U-K-E-