DURHAM, N.C. – Director of Track & Field Norm Ogilvie announced Duke’s 2013 track & field team award winners Saturday, Sept. 7, as part of the team’s welcome back celebration. The event was held on Edens quad, located on Duke’s west campus. A total of eight student-athletes received team-related awards Saturday afternoon including the following vaulters:
Sophomore Megan Clark received recognition as top field performer following the 2013 season, following a sensational freshman pole vault campaign that included a winning vault of 13-7.25 (4.15) at the USA Junior National Championships. The vault placed Clark third on Duke’s all-time outdoor pole vault list as well as qualified the pole vaulter for a spot on the USA roster at the Pan Am Junior Athletics Championship. Clark placed fifth in the event with a vault of 13-1.5 (4.00). The Fort Benning, Ga. native cleared 13-1.00 (3.99) during the indoor season, also placing her third on the school record list.
Fellow pole vaulter and former senior Emily Mattoon earned the most improved senior award Saturday. Mattoon bested her freshman personal best vault of 12-1.50 (3.69) at the Armory College Meet, when she cleared 13-5.25 (4.10) at the Virginia Challenge and earned a fourth-place ranking on Duke’s all-time list. The Virginia Challenge effort was an improvement of 1-3.75 (0.40) from Mattoon’s freshman to senior year. At the final ACC Championship meet of her collegiate career, the San Diego, Calif. native placed fifth, clearing 12-9.50 (3.90).
Redshirt junior Curtis Beach earned the outdoor most valuable performer and the top track performer. The 2013 outdoor season proved to be successful for the decathlete. After finishing seventh at the NCAA National Championship meet, Beach earned first team All-America honors. The Albuquerque, N.M. native also contributed on a number of school record-breaking relay teams, including the 4×800 relay and the 4×400 relay. In addition to breaking multiple school records as a member of a relay team, Beach also set new records in individual events, including the long jump and the 200-meters. more
