University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Set to Defend BIG EAST Indoor Championship Title
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Feb. 19, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - After winning the BIG EAST Indoor Championship titles in both 2008 and 2009, the University of Connecticut women's track and field team will look to defend its crown this weekend in the 2010 BIG EAST Indoor Championship held at the Armory in New York City.
The Huskies, currently ranked at the top of the Northeast Region according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA), earned a spot in the Top-25 National rankings during the first two weeks of the indoor season as well as the No. 21 position in the preseason poll.
"It's interesting how things have evolved from preseason," said head coach Bill Morgan. "Thoughts were that we would come into top form a little later than usual and probably right at Championship time - well, that has taken place and we have great anticipation as we travel to the Armory for an intense, high energy display of performances.
"I feel our team confidence is evident and there are no doubts about the intentions to represent as we should," added Morgan. "It's an exciting time as always, when we speak of the BIG EAST. Our program has matured into a serious contender and my expectations are for everyone to have a personal record moment - that is what it will take."
Trisha-Ann Hawthorne will help lead the Huskies to a third straight crown as she is currently ranked at the top of the 200-meter dash in the BIG EAST Conference. Hawthorne's season-best time of 23.92 in the event puts her just under the NCAA Division I Provisional qualifying mark, which she hopes to reach this weekend.
Hawthorne is also ranked second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.40, a time that already made her an NCAA Division I Provisional qualifier.
Phylicia George, who broke the UConn record in the 60-meter hurdles earlier this season, a record that she had tied last season, enters the weekend ranked second in the BIG EAST in the event. With a time of 8.32, George is already an NCAA Division I Provisional qualifier. She is also ranked ninth in the conference in the 200-meter dash.
Three-time BIG EAST Champion Carin Knight will also look to defend her title in the high jump as she won the last two years during the indoor competition. Knight, who is ranked second in the conference, stands just below St. John's Priscilla Frederick, who is ninth in the country. The UConn senior will look to improve her season-best jump of 1.80 meters (5-10.75) this weekend.
Sophomore Victoria Flowers enters the BIG EAST Championship ranked third in the conference in the 20lb weight throw, following two Louisville throwers who are ranked 1-2 in the nation. Flowers, who came in second in the 2009 Championships, has already provisionally qualified with a mark of 20.28 meters (66-6.5). Tynisha McMillian is fifth in the weight throw and shot put among BIG EAST contenders, while Flowers is currently ranked seventh in the conference in the shot put.
UConn's 4x800 meter relay team heads into the weekend ranked second among the BIG EAST with a time of 8:54.25 that the group recorded at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Feb. 5.
The 2010 BIG EAST Championship is set to begin on Saturday, Feb. 20 and will continue through Sunday, Feb. 21. Results can be found by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
