The UConn men’s and women’s track and field teams will host a total of seven programs this weekend on Friday, April 4, for the Dog Fight Invitational.
The first track event is set to start at 12:00 p.m., with the 3000 Steeplechase, while the last track event, the 4×400 meters, is set to start at 5:15. Also, for all track events, the women’s teams will start first while the men’s teams will go second.
The first field event will start at 11:00 a.m., and the last event will start at 2:00 p.m., with both men and women athletes competing.
Some events that are happening at the same time are the 4×100 meter relay and pole vault at 1 p.m., and the 110-meter hurdles and the high jump at 2 p.m.
Some players to highlight this season are Joshua Mooney and Travis Martin, with Martin setting a new program record in the outdoor 5000 meter this season. Both athletes have been major contributors to UConn’s success at track and field, as the Huskies are ranked 19th in the country, their first top-20 ranking in program history. Mooney also took home silver for UConn in the heptathlon just a couple of weeks ago in the Big East Championships.
Other men to highlight are Mekhi Stone, who finished second in the 400-meter dash with a personal best time of 46.76 seconds. Brendan Kovar, Gabriel Cuffey, OJ Singletary and Stone are also athlete to look out for, winning the 4×400 meter sprint at Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jacket Invitational.
For the women’s team, Jenna Zydanowicz has had a successful final season with Zydanowicz running the second fastest time in the outdoor 5000-meter this season. Zydanowicz also won gold in the 5000-meter sprint at the Big East Championship.
Some other women to highlight this season are Maresa Hence, who won the pentathlon, Mallory Malz, who claimed gold in the women’s pole vault and A’liyah Thomas, who won gold in the women’s long jump for the Huskies a couple of weeks ago in the Big East Championships.
Some Huskies have also competed at the NCAA Championships, with Kyle Johnson winning NCAA Division I Second Team All-American Honors in the triple jump after he achieved a jump of 15.82 meters. Marc Morrison also claimed Second Team All-Americans in the NCAA Championships.
Following the immediate conclusion of the track and field events, UConn will recognize 36 seniors who are graduating for their contribution to the program.