The UConn women’s swim team competed in the Big East Championships this weekend in Ocala, Fla. The Huskies put up a school record of 1,520 points scored, the highest total in program history and a clear statement against conference competition.
UConn arrived in Florida after weeks of focused preparation and strong late season performances. Their preparation showed immediately as the Huskies produced fast early swims and built confidence on the deck.
UConn set the tone early in day one of the meet, earning a school best in the 200m medley relay from Rhian Russell, Sydney Perkins, Maggie Rhodes and Jessica Sheng (1:39.59). Their time earned them second place behind Villanova (1:39.51).
Freshman Mia Hatzis, junior Bella Hoffman, senior Norah Rome and junior Claire Lippert finished second place in the 800m free relay (7:21.53) with Villanova once again placing first (7:14.47).
Day one wrapped up with the 3m dive, as junior Kate Cooper placed third with a score of 253.85. Cooper finished in first place last year in the event.
Day two was kicked off by junior Courtney Phillips earning second place in the 500m free, posting a personal best (4:52.61). Senior Alexis Martino, freshman Kiersten O’Connor, Sheng and Hatzis recorded the second fastest finish in school history in the 200m free relay (1:32.13), finishing right behind Georgetown (1:31.56) and Villanova (1:31.12).
Day three saw Sheng finish in second place in the 100m backstroke (54:85). Sheng was lights out for the Huskies throughout the Big East Championships, and there was more to come in the final day. Perkins placed second in the 100m breaststroke.
Senior Olivia Denery’s score of 268.25 was enough to crown her Big East Champion in the 1m dive with Cooper finishing right behind her with a score of 263.60. Villanova’s Meghan Scott’s 259.35 rounded out the podium.
Day three earned the Huskies the Big East Champs title. Russell’s personal best performance placed first in the 100m back (54.16) and Sheng placed second (54.85). O’Connor placed fourth and Hoffman in fifth, making it four Huskies in the top five of the event.
The final day was started by Hoffman placing second in the 200m backstroke (1:56.93) and Perkins placing third. The 400m free from Hatzis, Hoffman, O’Connor and Sheng (3:22.08) placed third behind Georgetown and Villanova.
Rome placed third in the 1650m free (16:49.95) behind two Wildcats. UConn was not done just yet.
Sheng wrapped up the Big East Championships with a bang, winning the 100m free. Sheng had a remarkable meet, with four top three finishes.
UConn had 15 top three finishes in the meet and will come back to Storrs with three new Big East Champions in Denery, Russell and Sheng.
Looking ahead, the Huskies will compete in the NCAA Swim Championships in Atlanta, Ga., from March 18-21. It has been a remarkable season for UConn, and they haven’t finished yet. After a record setting conference performance, the team will aim to carry its momentum onto the national stage and close the year with another strong showing.