Duke Women's 4x400 Relay Sets School Record at NCAA Indoor Championships

Blue Devils finish fifth in the nation with a blistering time of 3:29.56

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:08am

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The Duke women's track and field team had a strong showing at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with the 4x400 meter relay team setting a new school record and finishing fifth in the nation. Sophomores Maya Collins and Braelyn Baker, along with seniors Lauren Tolbert and Julia Jackson, combined for the record-breaking performance, outleaning the Iowa squad by just 0.07 seconds. On the field, junior pole vaulter Gemma Tutton made her first career NCAA appearance, finishing 12th to earn second-team All-American honors.

Why it matters

The NCAA Indoor Championships is one of the toughest collegiate meets to qualify for, with only the top 16 individuals and top 12 relay teams in the national rankings gaining entry. Duke's strong showing, especially the 4x400 relay team's school record, demonstrates the program's continued growth and competitiveness at the national level.

The details

The Duke women's 4x400 meter relay team won their section with a time of 3:29.56, setting a new school record. After receiving the baton in third place, sophomores Braelyn Baker and Maya Collins, along with seniors Lauren Tolbert and Julia Jackson, put together a series of sub-52-second splits to propel the Blue Devils to the top. On the field, junior pole vaulter Gemma Tutton made her first career NCAA appearance, finishing 12th to earn second-team All-American honors.

  • The NCAA Indoor Championships took place this past weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The players

Maya Collins

A sophomore on the Duke women's track and field team.

Braelyn Baker

A sophomore on the Duke women's track and field team.

Lauren Tolbert

A senior on the Duke women's track and field team.

Julia Jackson

A senior on the Duke women's track and field team.

Gemma Tutton

A junior pole vaulter on the Duke women's track and field team, making her first career NCAA appearance.

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What they’re saying

“The 4x400m relay has been the cornerstone of our program. It was a really good night for them.”

— Shawn Wilbourn, Head Coach, Duke Women's Track and Field

“We just have to continue to establish some consistency from jump to jump with her. But I think that just having that experience will really help her moving into outdoors.”

— Shawn Wilbourn, Head Coach, Duke Women's Track and Field

What’s next

As the Duke women's track and field team heads into the outdoor season, they have their sights set on the ACC team title that narrowly eluded them indoors. The head coach believes the team is in a good position to dominate both the indoor and outdoor seasons this year.

The takeaway

Duke's strong showing at the NCAA Indoor Championships, particularly the record-breaking performance of the 4x400 meter relay team, demonstrates the program's continued growth and competitiveness at the national level. The experience gained by the athletes, especially first-time NCAA qualifier Gemma Tutton, will be invaluable as the team transitions to the outdoor season with the goal of capturing the ACC team title.