University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Ken O'Brien Minuteman Invitational
Huskies Win Ken O'Brien Minuteman Invitational
9/11/2021 8:20:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
AMHERST, Mass. – For the second-straight week, the UConn women's cross-country team took home the team title at a race, claiming the top-spot at Saturday's Ken O'Brien Minuteman Invitational held at UMass's Cross-Country Course.
The Huskies, the preseason No. 1 ranked team in the northeast by the USTFCCCA, finished with a total of 29 points to finish first in the six-team field, their second team win on the year. UConn had their five top runners all finish inside the top-10 while their entire seven athlete line-up was in the top-15 in the 6K race.
"It was fun to have the whole team out there on the line again," stated head cross country coach Lindsay Crevoiserat. "It was a close battle between us and BC and I told them to be patient and work the second half of the race, and just to practice race tactics. We wanted to set the tone of the season with this race. We closed hard the last K and moved really well."
Leading the way was UConn senior Mia Nahom (New Milford, Conn.) who made her season debut on Saturday. Nahom took second place in the field, posting a time of 17:20. Right on her heels was freshman Chloe Thomas (Dundas, Ontario), also at 17:20.
Senior Melissa Zammitti (Charlotte, N.C.) grabbed a top-five spot, crossing the line in fifth at 17:38. Sophomore Jenna Zydanowicz (West Hartford, Conn.) was ninth overall in a time of 17:49 and senior Monica Strain (Castleton, N.Y.) rounded out the UConn top-five with a 10th place showing in 17:53.
Senior Celia Chacko (Windsor, Conn.) was right behind Strain in 11th with a time of 17:55 and senior Randi Burr (Westerly, R.I.) was 13th overall at 18:05. The Huskies had their full team on Saturday and in addition to Nahom, Burr, Chacko, Zydanowicz and Zammitti also made their season debuts.
"Proud of our team today, and we're only getting better from here," stated Crevoiserat. "We're in a good spot, and plenty work still to be done!"
The Huskies will return to action on September 24th when they run in the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown.
