The women's track outdoor season hasn't even begun, but the Blue Devils are already geared up for what they think looks to be a promising year.
"I'm really pleased with where the team is headed," coach Jan Samuelson-Ogilvie said.
As well she deserves to be. February has just begun, and school records are already falling.
At the Terrier Classic last weekend, Ellie Culp set a school record in the 5,000-meter run with an ECAC-qualifying time of 17:12.90. This season is really the sophomore's first on the track team, as she had to sit out last year due to injuries. This fall, though, Culp earned a varsity slot on the cross-country team and placed 14th at the ECAC meet to earn all-East honors.
At the same meet, Duke's distance medley relay team of Katie Atlas, Stephanie Thomas, Heather Ryan and Megan Sullivan qualified for ECACs as well. This foursome then came together again to break a year-old school record in the 4x800 relay, crossing the finish line in 9:21.24.
Also heading to ECACs is senior Jeanie Minton, who has qualified in the pentathlon and hopes to qualify to compete there in the heptathlon as well.
In the pole vault, an event in which women are competing for only the second year, senior Lisa Bell also set a new school mark last weekend, going over the bar at 10-9.
As has been historically the case, Duke feels its greatest strength is in the middle-distance and distance events. The Blue Devils return several top harriers from last year in addition to a crop of talented freshmen. Indoor 5000-meter record holder Beth O'Donnell, NCAA cross-country qualifier Sullivan and Culp look to lead the squad in the longer distances. Holding school records in three relays as well as the individual 400, senior Stephanie Thomas headlines Duke's middle-distance quad.
While the Blue Devils lost several top runners to graduation, they boast a large, talented freshman class of 17.
"They're doing well," Samuelson-Ogilvie said. "When you bring in freshmen, a lot of them respond right away and establish personal bests right off the bat. We have a large freshman class, and I'm excited about the future."
Atlas and Ryan, both freshmen, have already made an impact in the middle distance events. Atlas, one of Duke's top cross-country runners this past fall, won the New York state championship in the 1000 meters. Ryan, another cross-country veteran, was one of Rhode Island's top high-school 800 runners.
Also coming from the cross country team to shore up the Blue Devils' middle distance squad on the track are freshmen Melissa Malakoff and Maddy Woodmansee.
But the distance events aren't the only ones that may see a boost from the freshman class. Kim Hanauer consistently neared 40 feet in the shot put in high school, and the Blue Devils will be looking to her to shore up their throwing.
In the sprint events, traditionally not Duke's greatest strength, Courtney Botts has already gained national experience, competing in the National Scholastics and the Penn Relays. Botts' specialty is the 400, clocking in at 57 seconds.
"I expect big things from her," Samuelson-Ogilvie said.
In addition to Botts, the Blue Devils return several key veterans in the sprints. Duke will turn to senior Tara Cyre, who ranks fourth all-time in the indoor 55 meters and was a member of last year's ECAC qualifying 4x100 relay, to provide solid performances in the 100 and 200. Sophomore Kristin Sbarra topped the Blue Devils' 200-meter runners last year with a team-best time of 26.21 as well as placing second on the squad with a 17-6 long jump.
With this core of accomplished veterans and talented newcomers, Duke has a lot to look forward to.
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