University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn successful indoor season
2/18/2019 1:55:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
Season Summary
The Huskies have had three school records broken this season: 800 Meters, 400 Meters, and Shot Put
UConn women's track and field team has had success at the five meets they've competed at during the indoor season; Nittany Lion Challenge, Vanderbilt Invitational, Columbia Challenge, Scarlet & White Invite, and the Valentine Invite. The Huskies have set at least 10 or more personal bests at each competition in addition to consistent top-10 and top-5 performances.Â
Broken Records
The Huskies have had three student-athletes break their way into the UConn record books for their tremendous performances this season in both track and field events.
Senior Susan Aneno had herself a day at the Vanderbilt Invitational, only the second meet of the indoor season, where she competed in the 800 Meters. Aneno's race to the finish line nabbed her a time of 2:03.94 which was good enough for second place. Furthermore, her time shattered the school record set by Heather Wilson in 2012 at 2:04.34 in addition to being the No. 2 time in the country. Aneno's success in the event was also an IC4A/ECAC and NEICAAA qualifying time.
At the Scarlet & White Invite a pair of Huskies donned the title of record holders in senior Kat Surin and junior Divine Oladipo. Surin enjoyed a first-place finish with an IC4A/ECAC and NEICAAA qualifying time of 53.19 in the 400 Meters. Her exemplary performance also landed her the honor of being the AAC's Female Track Athlete of the Week. Oladipo's Shot Put first-place mark of 16.88m (55' 4.75") was an IC4A/ECAC and NEICAAA qualifying effort. Both student-athletes' finishes were also personal records.
First-Place Finishes
UConn has enjoyed a total of 12 first-place marks throughout the inoor season; at the Nittany Lion Challenge, Scarlet & White Invite, and Valentine Invite.
At the Nittany Lion Challenge, the Huskies commenced the season with several top finishes. Competing in the Mile was Aneno who tabbed a time of 4:53.57. Oladipo hurled a 16.37m effort in the Shot Put. Senior Amaris Blount led the way in the Weight Throw at 19.04m.
Weeks later UConn posted seven total top finishes at the Scarlet & White Invite, including the aforementioned broken records/first-place finishes of Surin and Oladipo. In the Preliminaries for the 60 Meter Hurdles, junior Tia Strackman first-place mark of 8.80 qualified her for the finals in which she placed second overall at 8.67. The 4x400 Meter Relay Team—Kristina Cherrington, Shanelle Colmon, Surin, Aneno—ran their fastest time of the season at 3:38.83 which is the second fastest time in school history behind the 2014 Relay Team's time of 3:37.92. Sophomore Kelly Ward leapt her way to a 1.73m mark in the High Jump and to the top of the podium. Freshman Emma Chee followed suit in the Pole Vault reaching 3.65m. Blount's 18.79m Weight Throw rounded out the top finishes at this meet.
To cap the indoor season, Surin and Oladipo paced the Huskies at the Valentine Invite. Surin ran the 400 Meter taking first with a time of 53.32 while Oladipo's 16.76m Shot Put mark landed her at the top of her event as well.
Season Progression
UConn has broken records other than their own during the season
Harkening back to the Vanderbilt Invitational on January 18th-19th, the Huskies were able to put up great individual marks in addition to breaking Vanderbilt records. Several Vandy school records were reestablished in the Long Jump, Weight Throw, and in the previously mentioned 800 Meters.
Aneno's success in the 800 also surpassed Courtney Clayton's time of 2:04.24 from 2017. Junior Taylor Woods' Long Jump of 6.03m sent her over the previously established mark of 5.99m from 1996. Lastly, Blount 19.13m effort in the Weight Throw significantly reset the record from 2004 of 17.82m.
UConn's continued success and growth through the five competitions is reflective of what Head Coach J.J. Clark has desired from the beginning. "I'm very excited to get the season started as the team has been trending really well. We are looking forward to a good start across the board. My goal is twofold; No. 1 to be healthy and No. 2 to come out making some good marks that will allow us to progress as the season goes", he stated on January 10th.
For a better look at the Huskies' growth, click here to view the Results Sheet.
The Huskies will travel to Birmingham, Ala. To compete in the AAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, Feb. 23rd to Sunday, Feb. 24th.Â
Players Mentioned
