UConn is Back at It Again….Fourth Time in a Row
HARTFORD, CO—On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team won the Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Basketball Tournament at Indiana’s Baker Fieldhouse against Syracuse. This win is not just a normal win. This win marks the fourth consecutive National Championship for the Huskies. By defeating Syracuse by 31, they secured their place in history, being the only women’s Division I basketball team to win four titles in a row. The head coach of UConn, Geno Auriemma, also made history on the same night by winning his 11th National Championship Title surpassing the old coach for the men’s UCLA basketball teams, John Wooden, who won 10 Division I NCAA Basketball Championships.
Furthermore, the Huskies were undefeated going into the championship game. Before winning the National Title, the team won 75 games in a row. Due to their amazing roster of talented players, they were able to stay unbeatable. The seniors, Breanna Stewart, Morgan Tuck, and Moriah Jefferson, led their team to victory with amazing plays year after year. Additionally, Breanna won four consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards during the NCAA Tournament, the first time in the sports’ history. According to the Hartford Courant, “For Mr. Auriemma, it’s triumphant end to another season of sculpting a team out of veterans and rookies while building on a 30-year coaching legacy that can already be said to have stood the test of time.” After the team won, they celebrated like they always have by taking selfies, cutting down the net, and giving heartfelt speeches.
Many people were proud to see the girls win because of how much time and effort they put into becoming better players. The Huskies practice so hard that they make the game look easy. Once they got home, their town celebrated their victory by forming a parade and rally where 20,000 spectators came to show their support. The rally was a heartwarming event where fans called the girls and took pictures. According to Fox 61 News Station, “The rally featured music, confetti and remarks from Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Governor Dannel Malloy and a number of players, including senior forwards Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck.” Sadly, Geno Auriemma could not attend the festivities because he was feeling under the weather. However, Jonathan the Husky, their mascot, was able to come and be a part of the event. The Huskies ended their perfect season with a beautiful celebration for their historical run.
Sources:
NCAA. (8 Apr. 2016). Women’s basketball makes history during Final Four. Retrieved from http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2016-04-08/womens-basketball-makes-history-during-final-four
Fox 61 News Station. (11 Apr. 2016). Thousands celebrate National Champion UConn Huskies in downtown Hartford. Retrieved from http://fox61.com/2016/04/10/celebrate-the-national-champion-uconn-huskies/
Hartford Courant. (5 Apr. 2016). UConn Women Make History With Finals Win. Retrieved from http://www.courant.com/opinion/editorials/hc-ed-uconn-win-place-in-history0405-20160405-story.html
Newsday. (10 Apr. 2016) UConn women championship parade. Retrieved from http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-basketball/uconn-women-s-basketball-national-championship-parade-pictures-1.11675760
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