With just one weekend standing in between the UConn track and field team and the Big East Championships, the squad has proven themselves a dominant force.
As reigning Big East Champions, the Huskies have made sure not to disappoint for the 2023-2024 indoor season and have consistently smashed record after record.
From the sprints, several Huskies have already put their names in the record books. Just over a month into the season, junior Jailya Ash broke an all-time UConn record in the 60m hurdles. With a time of 8.19, not only did the hurdler take home the gold, but she also earned the fastest time in UConn history. Right behind Ash is A’liyah Thomas. Thomas’ current time in the 60m hurdles, 8.34, is currently the fourth fastest in UConn history.
Sophomore Mia Dansby has also been following in similar footsteps. This past weekend, Dansby shattered a personal record of 7.47 in the 60m, earning herself a second-place finish at the Giegengack Invitational. Freshman sprinter Anna Connors is also showing significant promise for the Huskies as she recently broke a personal record in the 400m with a time of 55.3. With just one week left in the indoor season, this group of women will be the athletes to watch as the squad moves into the outdoor season.
Equally as impressive are the men of the group who appear to be getting faster each week. Terrell Williams will be the sprinter to keep an eye on as he has consistently appeared at the top of the leaderboard. Week in and week out Williams has found himself at the top of the pack and dominating the track. Just last week the junior broke his previously set school record in the 60m hurdles with a whopping 7.71 time.
Following closely behind Williams is sophomore Damon Simpson. Simpson has been a powerhouse in the 60m consistently finding himself against the best of the best. Despite it only being his sophomore season, Simpson maintains the fastest team time in the 60m with a 6.79. With just one full year under his belt, this sprinter will be the one to watch as the seasons progress.
As for the distance squad, the first-place finishes have been pouring in. Junior Jenna Zydanowicz is having one of the best seasons of her career. With three personal records in the past month, she has proven to be unstoppable and the one to beat. Zydanowicz is currently holding the No. 2 all-time UConn record in the 3000m with a 9:16.04. The 4×400 relay was also largely successful as the lineup of Connors, Jessica Starr, Jalah Cooper and Raquel Rosa took home the silver at the Battle in Beantown, beating out several tough competitors such as Boston University and UMass Amherst. Starr and Rosa have historically been powerhouses in the relays and continue to show significant promise.
Junior Travis Martin is yet another competitor to watch. Martin had a dynamic start to the indoor season as he earned back-to-back golds in the 1000m and the mile. In early January, the junior took home a personal record and a first-place finish in the 1000m with an impressive time of 2:22.99 at the Suffolk Ice Breaker. Martin’s counterparts Mahamed Sharif, Samuel Geisler and Kevin Cawley finished right behind him for a sweep.
In the mile, Martin beat out serious competitors from Boston University, Northeastern and UMass Amherst in the Battle of Beantown for a first-place finish and a personal record of 4:01.59, just less than a second away from breaking the four-minute marker, a serious accomplishment for any athlete.
While athletes have been roaring down the track, the field competitors have been busy breaking records and earning titles. This past week, Marc Morrison was named Big East Field Athlete of the Week due to his exceptional performance in the long jump at the Crimson Elite meet. Morrison jumped 7.59m and earned a gold finish.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Barrow has consistently been a top performer in the long and triple jump. With routine first and second finishes, the senior has been setting records since her freshman year. Last year, the jumper took home the gold in the triple jump and the bronze in the long jump at the Big East Championship As for the 2024 season, Barrow is on the same path. Currently ranked No. 3 in the UConn records for indoor triple jump, she is on the trajectory to success.
As the outdoor season quickly approaches, the Huskies are looking as sharp as ever. Both on the track and on the field, UConn has set itself up for a fantastic finish to the indoor season and a dynamic start to outdoor.