The UConn track and field team will continue its busy indoor schedule this weekend, splitting its roster between two meets at Boston University and Harvard.
The Huskies go into this weekend riding strong momentum over the past few weeks, seeing several athletes reach the program’s all-time top 10 marks. Their success was highlighted earlier this week when graduate student jumper Emi Erekosima earned the Big East Men’s Field Athlete of the week after a triple jump win at Penn State.
UConn has thrived through its depth throughout its roster, including standout performances by freshman Brooklyn Taylor and senior Alyssa Elliott, who both looked dominant last week and will be back in action this weekend at Harvard.
BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational
A majority of UConn’s sprinters and distance runners are headed to Boston University for the Valentine Invitational on Friday, Jan. 13, and Saturday, Jan. 14.
On the men’s side, freshmen Peyton Butler and TJ Jaravaza headline the 200m participants. Sophomore Del Lindsay leads the Huskies in the 400m event after a strong finish last week. In the 800m, sophomore Kelton Poirier will represent UConn as the sole men’s distance runner this weekend.
UConn will also send a small group of women’s athletes to BU to participate in sprint and distance events. Junior Anna Connors, freshman Emerson Flaker and senior Jessica Starr are set for the 400m, with Flaker coming off a personal best at Penn State last week.
In the distance events, senior Calista Mayer will represent UConn in the 800m. Junior Loghan Hughes will take on the mile, and freshmen Brooke Strauss and Sascha Letica will compete in the 3000m as the Huskies look for strong marks alongside their recent success in sprints and field events.
Crimson Open
At Harvard’s Crimson Open, UConn sends a larger group of the men’s and women’s squads across a variety of events.
The women’s events will be held on Friday, as senior Mia Dansby and sophomore Sarah Claflin lead the Huskies in the short sprints. The 60m hurdles is where Connecticut should expect to be a serious threat, with the deep group featuring Elliott after last week’s dominance, alongside freshman Maia Rich, sophomores Emily Miller and Mackenzie Braunstein and junior Audrey Kozak.
In the field events, Miller and freshmen Kaylee Meyer take on the high jump. Taylor will compete in the long jump after last week’s hurdles performance, alongside freshman Jaidah Garrett. Senior Rachel Mason and sophomore Piper Linn will also participate in the pole vault.
Elliott will also be in the shot-put event this week, competing alongside Braunstein, freshman Brook-Lynn Roberts and junior Gabriela DeFelice.
On Saturday, the men will compete in several different events at Harvard. Freshman Mohamed Wahdan, after a narrow second place in the 60m hurdles, will seek redemption this weekend alongside Wyatt Gravier, junior Josh Mooney and a large group of other UConn sprinters. Sophomore Gabe Cuffey returns to the 800m after a strong outing in the 600m last week.
Freshman Marshall Potter leads the Huskies in the weight throw and shot put events after promising performances at Penn State. While Erekosima is not set to jump this weekend, a hungry group behind him will look to make a statement this week.
The Huskies have a full slate ahead in Massachusetts and will look to maintain their recent success across all of their events. Entering the thick of this season’s schedule, continuing that momentum will be key as more challenges present themselves ahead.