Ogilvie Announces Incoming Class Blue Devil Men's Class Of 2008

July 20, 2004

DURHAM, N.C. - Director of Track & Field Programs Norm Ogilvie announced the incoming Blue Devil freshmen class of track & field athletes. Joining the men's squad for the 2004-05 campaign are:

Mark Buha (Chesterfield, Mo.): Buha was runner-up in the Missouri State 4A cross country meet his senior season. He posted personal bests of 9:31.93 in the 3,200m and 4:23.7 over 1,600m on the track during his junior year campaign. Buha did not compete outdoors as a senior due to injury.

Ian Cassidy (Bellerose, N.Y.): Cassidy shocked the national prep vault scene when he vaulted 15-9.5 in January to win a meet at New York City's famed Armory.

Tyler Clarke (Clackamas, Ore.): Though recruited as a hurdler, Clarke is expected to contribute in the high jump as well. He earned the Oregon state titles in both the 110 high hurdles (14.36) and 300 intermediate hurdles (38.00). Over the course of his senior spring season, Clarke increased his high jump from 6-4 to 6-10, making a significant impression on the Duke staff.

Matt Contreras (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.): Contreras is one of two talented vaulters to join the Blue Devils this season in effort to replace All-America Brent Warner. He joined the elite 16-foot club this spring when he cleared 16-2.

Jade Ellis (New Brighton, Minn.): Touted as the best horizontal jumper to commit to the Blue Devils, Ellis brings state championships in the long jump (23-1) and triple jump (48-11.5) with him to Duke. His top mark in the triple jump was just a half-inch short of the all-time Minnesota prep record and exceeds the NCAA Regional qualifying mark.

Kyle Kershner (Wilmington, Del.): Kershner finished his high school career with a Delaware state cross country championship and numerous indoor and outdoor titles under his belt. His strongest events are the mile, two-mile and 4x800 relay. In one of his best high school performances, Kershner placed 10th in the 3,000m at the Penn Relays with a time of 8:51.26.

Ryan McCann (Glen Rock, N.J.): McCann is a strong middle-distance runner with a good range from 400m to the mile. His best event in high school was the 800m, where he clocked 1:53.0 to place fifth in the All-Group meet.

Tommy O'Connor (Brookwood, Ga.): O'Connor was a member of the Brookwood High School state championship cross country team. During his senior track season, he clocked a 4:19 mile, his best event.

Zack Schwab (West Lafayette, Ind.): Schwab posted a personal best of 4:17.25 over 1,600m in preparation for a top-20 finish in the Indiana state cross country meet his senior year.

Taylor Searles (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.): Searles led the pack at The Bishop's School under his coach Bob Wheeler, a former Duke Olympian. Under Wheeler's tutelage, he clocked 1:57 in the 800m, 4:24.0 for 1,600m and has split 0:51+ on a 400m relay leg.

Chris Spooner (Lewisburg, Pa.): Spooner brings a tremendous range of skills to the Blue Devils, having made impressive showings in everything from the 800m (1:51 relay, 1:52 open) to the two-mile (8:56.5). He won the Pennsylvania state cross country title as a junior and the state track titles in the 800m, 1,600m and 3,200m, as well as the Penn Relays mile in 4:09.9 with a 58.9 final lap. In addition, Spooner anchored the nationally-ranked Lewisburg 4x800m relay team.

Tyler Wasieleski (San Antonio, Texas): Wasieleski showed significant promise as a high school junior, anchoring his team to a Texas Relays title in the sprint medley. He has run a 4:23 1,600m, has split 48 point in the 4x400m and a personal best of 1:53.63 in the 800m.