Twenty-three UConn track and field seniors gathered in the middle of the George J. Sherman Family Complex to be honored before the Huskies hosted the final day of the Northeast Challenge Saturday.
It wasn’t particularly nice outside – temperatures slipped back into the 40s and the impending threat of rain held the ceremony hostage as each senior received their framed jersey at mid-field.
The Huskies were in the midst of their fourth straight day of competition, and the metaphorical finish line was oh-so-close in sight.
But these Huskies, emboldened by the leadership of their senior class, have relished every opportunity they’ve gotten on the track together this year. Laboring through the meet wasn’t going to be the issue. Leaving the track for the last time until May 14 at Sherman was.
So, UConn made the most of its last home regular season meet of the season; over 20 athletes medaled across both the men’s and women’s teams across the two-day meet.
Medwin Odamtten won the men’s 100-meter dash in 10.37 seconds and finished fifth in the 200-meter hours later, posting a personal-best of 21.37. Gabriel Cuffey set a new personal best in the 800-meter with a time of 1:49.97. The third medal personal-best on the men’s track side came from Del Lindsay, who finished second in the 400-meter at 47.36.
Christian Menounos won the 1500-meter at 3:52.25 while Danil Hilmer won the steeplechase at 9:15.13. The Huskies’ 4×400 meter relay finished first with a time of 3:09.79.
The men’s field team won four events, including Marshall Potter in the hammer throw (61.21 meters), Enaji Muhammad in the high jump (2.11 meters), Thoams Bannon in the javelin (67.37 meters) and Dar Jankovic in the decathlon (7,072 points).
Alex Krause placed fourth in the hammer throw (56.99 meters), Connor Hayford third in the javelin (61.28 meters) and Wyatt Martin fourth in the pole vault (4.55 meters).
The women’s team was equally successful, especially in the field.
The Huskies dominated the heptathlon, with Ruby Tillson (5,442 points), Alyssa Elliott (5,252 points), Audrey Kozak (5,001 points) and Mackenzie Braunstein (4,838 points) sweeping the top four spots.
Rachel Mason finished second in the pole vault at 3.8 meters while Piper Linn and Abigail Bernas finished third and fourth, respectively, both clearing 3.55 meters.
Brooklyn Taylor (5.90 meters) and Jalynn Smith (5.58 meters) finished second and fourth in the long jump. Other second place finishes included Kaylee Meyer in the high jump at 1.65 meters and Gabriela DeFelice in the discus throw at 45.95 meters. DeFelice also finished fourth in the hammer throw at 52.41 meters.
On the track side, Jessica Star won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.63 while Ally McCarthy set a new personal-best in the 1500 meter at 4:34.55. Megan Minicucci (17:45.39 in the 5000 meter), Anna Connors (24.08 in the 200 meter) and Brooklyn Taylor (13.61 in the 100-meter hurdles) all finished second in their respective events.
The Huskies will travel to Philadelphia, Pa. for the historic Penn Relays next weekend.