UConn Track and Field Shatters Records at Duke Invitational

The University of Connecticut track and field program reached fresh heights this past weekend in Durham, N.C., delivering a series of powerhouse performances at the Duke Invitational. Competing on April 10 and 11, the Huskies didn’t just compete against high-major ACC opposition; they rewrote the program’s history books with a new school record and five additional all-time top-10 marks.

Brooke Strauss Sets New Program Standard

The standout performance of the meet came from Brooke Strauss, who delivered a historic run in the 1500m on Friday night. Strauss shattered the UConn program record with a time of 4:14.36, securing a fourth-place finish overall. Her performance serves as a critical benchmark for the Huskies as they push for NCAA Regional qualifying scores.

Women’s Team: Depth Across Track and Field

Beyond the record-breaking run by Strauss, the women’s squad showed significant strength across multiple disciplines:

• Sprints and Hurdles: Brooklyn Taylor advanced to the 100m hurdle finals, finishing fifth with a time of 13.73. Anna Connors placed 22nd in the 400m (56.33), while Kiley Shatzel clocked a personal-best of 1:00.47 in the 400m hurdles—the fifth-fastest time in program history.
• Field Events: Kaylee Meyer earned third place in the high jump at 1.68m, tying her personal best. In the pole vault, Rachel Mason finished seventh in group A (3.78m) and Piper Linn took fifth in group B with an outdoor personal best of 3.78m. Abigail Bernas also set a personal best of 3.63m for 14th place.
• Throws and Jumps: Gabriela DeFelice placed 18th in both the hammer throw (48.55m) and the discus (43.24m). In the long jump, Jaidah Garrett finished 12th (5.87m) and Jalynn Smith took 16th with a personal-best jump of 5.64m. Caitlin Dumouchel rounded out the effort with a 12th-place finish in the javelin (38.36m).

Men’s Team: Sprinting Toward Excellence

The UConn men focused on individual milestones and explosive speed during the two-day event:

Medwin Odamtten provided one of the weekend’s highlights, finishing third in the 100m. His time of 10.37 was not only a personal best but also tied for the third-fastest mark in program history. Nicholas Wright also improved his standing, setting a personal best of 21.68 in the 200m.

Other notable men’s finishes included Mekhi Stone (23rd in the 400m at 47.84), Del Lindsay (29th in the 400m at 48.41), and O.J. Singletary (16th in the 400m hurdles at 53.37).

Key Takeaways from the Duke Invitational

• New School Record: Brooke Strauss (1500m) – 4:14.36
• Program Top 10s: Five additional marks entered the all-time top 10 list.
• Top Finishes: Medwin Odamtten (3rd, 100m) and Kaylee Meyer (3rd, High Jump).
• Momentum: The team enters the heart of the outdoor season following a dominant victory at the Dog Fight Challenge in Storrs.

Building on Recent Momentum

This success in Durham follows a dominant performance at the Dog Fight Challenge on April 4, where UConn secured victory with 260.5 points, finishing well ahead of Northeastern. That meet established a trend of record-breaking, featuring a 4x100m relay team (Noble Gongon, Damon Simpson, Medwin Odamtten, and Nicholas Wright) that clocked the fourth-fastest time in school history (40.3).

As the Huskies continue to chase NCAA Regional qualifying scores, the shift from team-scoring meets to individual milestone events like the Duke Invitational is proving pivotal for their top athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who broke the school record at the Duke Invitational?

Brooke Strauss set the new program record in the 1500m with a time of 4:14.36.

How did the UConn men perform in the sprints?

Medwin Odamtten finished third in the 100m with a personal best of 10.37, which ties for the third-fastest mark in UConn program history.

Where did the Duke Invitational take place?

The event was held at Morris Williams Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.