Duka sets school record at BU Valentine Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Milan Duka (Belgrade, Serbia) set a school record as the Bryant University track and field team competed at the Boston University Valentine Invitational over the weekend.

The invitational was the last tune-up for the Bulldogs before they compete in the Northeast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend on Staten Island.

Duka, who has already set school records in the 800 and the mile this season, broke his own record in the 1000 on Saturday. He finished 13th with a time of 2:27.08.

Bryant had several other top performers on the day including Jonee Harrison (Dorchester, Mass.), Nicole Dempsey (Norwell, Mass.), Kristen Hayes (Menands, N.Y.), Melissa Lodge (Hopkinton, Mass.) and Deion Raper (Brockton, Mass.). Dorchester finished 16th in the weight throw (15.09m), Dempsey was 26th in the 60m dash (7.91) and Hayes was 45th in the 200 (25.39). Lodge (32nd in the 1000) just missed out on a school record, finishing with a time of 3:00.23. Raper also posted the second-best time in school history in the 60m hurdles, posting a time of 8.55.

The Black and Gold will open competition in the NEC Championships on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Ocean Breeze Track Facility.