Clark Smashes ACC Record at Armory Track Invite

Published by Duke SID on February 6th, 201

NEW YORK CITY – Senior Megan Clark broke the ACC record in the women’s pole vault to highlight the 17th-ranked Duke women’s track & field team placing second in the team standings at the Armory Track Inv6itational this weekend in New York City. In the men’s standings, Duke placed fifth among 60 teams, the same number of schools that participated in the women’s competition. The Duke women now own a 60-2 record on the season, while the men stand at 57-5.

In her historic performance in the women’s pole vault college competition that ultimately earned female performer of the meet honors, Clark cleared a winning height of 15-1.00 (4.60m) to set both the school and conference record and become just the fourth woman to break the 15-foot barrier in NCAA history, joining Demi Payne of Stephen F. Austin, Sandi Morris of Arkansas and Kaitlin Petrillose of Texas. The vault is currently the top mark in NCAA Division I this season, with the next closest being 14-9.00 (4.50m). The Fort Benning, Ga., product was joined in the top three of the event by teammate Madison Heath, claiming third with her clearance of 13-5.25 (4.10m).

In addition to Clark’s win, the Blue Devils secured two other victories on the track. Senior Anima Banksraced to a first-place performance in the women’s 800 college division, stopping the clock in 2:06.48. Banks’ showing marked the second straight week she has produced a stellar 800 time after she placed fourth in the event with a converted 2:05.10 at last weekend’s Camel City Invitational.