Blue Devils Strong on Day Two of Iowa State Classic

Saturday, February 14

Ames, Iowa

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Day Two at Iowa State Classic

Blue Devils Strong on Day Two of Iowa State Classic

2/14/2015 6:47:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Duke Sports Information

AMES, Iowa – The Duke track and field teams turned in another strong showing during the final day of the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa, with a number of Blue Devils notching personal bests. Headlining the competition for Duke was a first-place finish by the women's 4x400 team and senior Nate McClafferty setting a school record in the men's mile.

Getting the day started for the Blue Devils was sophomore Chaz Hawkins and freshman Brett Bofinger in the men's 400m. Hawkins finished 13^th overall with a personal-record time of 48.79, ranking No. 2 on Duke's all-time list. Bofinger placed 18^th and also registered the best performance of his career, crossing the line in 49.45.

After senior Shaun Thompson set a school record in the men's 5,000m yesterday, Nate McClafferty became Duke's record holder in the men's mile. The senior out of Wernersville, Pa., ran a 3:59.95 to place eighth, becoming the first Blue Devil in school history to break the four-minute barrier. Fellow senior Brian Schoepfer also added his name to the Duke record book in the event, finishing 16^th in a time of 4:03.46 to register the fifth-fastest time in school history.

In the women's mile, junior Madison Granger placed ninth after running a personal-best time of 4:48.18, while sophomore Haley Meier finished 29^th, completing the race in 4:59.22.

Junior Anima Banks represented Duke in the women's 800m and notched another top-10 finish for the Blue Devils. The native of Mamaroneck, N.Y., crossed the finish line in 2:07.78 to take ninth place.

Duke wrapped up the competition by winning the women's 4x400 relay. Senior Lauren Hansson, sophomore Madeline Kopp, freshman Maddy Price and senior Elizabeth Kerpon combined to run a 3:36.98, besting the rest of the field by just under five seconds.

The Blue Devils will return to competition next weekend at the Virginia Tech Challenge Feb. 20-21.

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