UConn Track & Field Athletes Set for NCAA Championships in Oregon
STORRS, Conn. — Four athletes from the University of Connecticut’s track and field team are poised to compete at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from June 11-14. This year’s squad includes both seasoned competitors and promising newcomers.
Diarmuid O’Connor, a decathlete from Cork, Ireland, is returning for his second consecutive NCAA Championships. Last year, he finished 13th nationally, earning Second Team All-America honors with a standout performance in the 1500m. This season, O’Connor scored a personal best of 7,658 points, ranking him 7th in the country.
Joining him in the decathlon is sophomore Josh Mooney from Stonington, Conn., who claimed gold at the BIG EAST Championships, finishing with an impressive 7,810 points and solidifying his spot as 5th in the nation. The duo’s camaraderie has been a catalyst for their success, with O’Connor praising their ability to motivate each other during training.
"Having a teammate like Josh is unreal," O’Connor noted. "We help each other improve every day."
First-year athletes Maresa Hense from Germany and Enaji Muhammad from Branford, Conn., will also make their national debut. Hense, who earned her spot in the heptathlon with a score of 5,733 points, ranks 4th nationally. Her international experience includes a bronze medal from the 2022 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival, equipping her with skills to handle competition pressure.
Muhammad secured his high jump qualification with a personal best of 2.15m at the NCAA East First Round, finishing 10th in the event.
The decathlon begins on Wednesday at 3:00 PM (EST), followed by the heptathlon start on Friday. Fans can expect thrilling performances as these Huskies aim to leave their mark on the national stage.
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