The UConn Huskies are set to travel to Ocala, Fla. this weekend, to compete in the Big East Conference Tournament. This week, the Huskies will face six conference opponents in Butler, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier.
The Huskies had a strong showing at last year’s tournament, taking second place overall with a team score of 1,516. Looking to build on that finish, this year’s UConn team has surged as the postseason approaches.
The divers had an especially notable run last year – UConn swept the top spots for the 1-meter dive. Olivia Denery took first place (290.45), while Kate Cooper (285.45), Darah Ostrom (280.05) and Julia Pioso (273.20) followed closely. Cooper also finished first overall in the 3-meter dive with a personal best score of 327.35. The Husky divers have put together an incredible season, proving to be tough competition at every meet. They will look to defend their titles this week and repeat their dominant team performance.
UConn’s sophomore breastroke standout, Sydney Perkins, has a title of her own to defend. As a freshman, she took first place in the 200-yard breastroke (2:12.52). She remains undefeated in the event in dual meet competition this season. Jessica Sheng, another UConn sophomore, closed out the previous Big East Championships with second place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle (22.67), 100-yard freestyle (49.39) and 100-yard backstroke (54.09). She will enter the championships on a winning streak in the 100-yard freestyle. Combined with her impressive relay contributions, Sheng is an athlete that opposing teams will have to account for.
The defending Big East champion Villanova Wildcats are expected to be the toughest competition. At last year’s Big East Championship, Villanova pulled ahead to defeat the Huskies with a 1,588-1,516 margin. Earlier this season, the two teams met again, and the Wildcats came out on top.
Several other Big East swimmers made noise at last year’s finals. Senior Allie Wagonner, Seton Hall distance swimmer, was one of the top performers of the night, boosting the Pirates’ team score with an impressive sweep in the 1650-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 400-yard individual medley. From Xavier, senior Olivia Oyster will challenge the top sprinters as the current title holder in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle.
The relay events will be among the most anticipated races of the week. The 200-yard freestyle relay was one of last year’s most pivotal races. The Wildcats, led by Carlotta Colomer, Riley Kudlac, Lainey Quinones and Lexi Elkovitch, claimed the top spot (1:31.29). Xavier and UConn put up a tight race for second and third place, but the Musketeers pulled ahead with a 0.04-second margin. Both Xavier (1:31.74) and UConn (1:31.77) set program records in the event.
The 200-yard medley relay is another matchup to watch, and the Huskies are entering with momentum after setting two pool records and dropping time in recent meets. Xavier holds the reigning title in this event, with Georgetown just 0.07 seconds short, but the Huskies are ready to contend for the win.
The meet will begin Wednesday at 1 p.m. with diving preliminaries, and the women’s competition concludes Friday. All competitions will be held at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training.