DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke men's 4x800 meter relay team is the new 2013 American Leader in the event, running a combined time of 7:26.88 at the prestigious Millrose Games Saturday, February 16 in New York, N.Y.  Freshman Tommy Meister served as the Blue Devils leadoff leg finishing in 1:53.76.  He passed off the baton in second place, a position the squad maintained throughout the duration of the race, to sophomore Kyle Moran who ran the distance of 1:51.15.  Then, sophomore Nate McClafferty completed the third leg in 1:52.17 and Freshman Michal Filipczak ran the anchor leg for the Blue Devils, crossing the line in 1:49.80. 

The young team, consisted of two freshmen and two sophomores and set a new Duke school record with the performance.

"We are excited to have the top squad of Americans in the 4X800 meters," said Director of Track and Field Norm Ogilvie.  "They ran like veterans on a big stage and are obviously capable of lowering the school record several more times in the coming years."

The Blue Devils finished second overall behind Penn State who ran a time of 7:21.37 to break the Millrose Games and Armory Track record.  The Nittany Lions ran the fastest time in the world this year but their anchor leg Ricky West is Canadian which disqualified the quartet from being named the American Leader. 

2013 marks the 106th year of the Millrose Games. The event is one of the most famous indoor track events in the world and attracts some of the world's top track and field athletes.  For more information, click here. 

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