Spring Break
Track Duo Teams Up To Succeed
Mike Barnhart
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
Rutt, a native of Sinking Springs, Pa., has already made his mark on the UConn track team in the first two years of his career. He has finished second in the Big East in the indoor 800 meter run twice. Rutt also has a New England championship in the 800 under his belt.
Rutt ended up at UConn after being courted by number of different schools to play soccer. Rutt was impressed by head coach Greg Roy's program and the education that the university had to offer so he decided to stay on the track.
"I like that we are always getting invited to compete all over the country," Rutt. "It's exciting to be able to compete against the best out there."
Massachusetts has produced a long line of great UConn athletes. Between 2004 and 2006, Logan Jones and Joel Legare were both All-Americans on the track for the Huskies. These two are from the same area as Gagnon and they were also standouts in the 800 meter race. One day Gagnon's high school coach received a call from Roy during which coach Roy told him that he wanted Gagnon to follow in the footsteps of Jones and Legare. When Gagnon heard about the call, his mind was made up. He was going to UConn.
"I wanted to keep the tradition and live up to the standard that those guys set here," Gagnon said.
Gagnon has done a terrific job of doing that to this point in his UConn career. The junior has already been an All-American and he has been at the front of the pack in just about all of his races this spring.
Rutt and Gagnon's work as a tandem has not gone unnoticed by their coach either. Roy has seen both athletes make huge strides since stepping on the UConn campus.
"They are both hard workers and have been progressing well together," Roy said.
In a sport that has so much individuality about it, two track athletes have found a way to gain an edge by working as a team.
Both Rutt and Gagnon will have the chance to play a huge role in another UConn championship this weekend at the Big East Championships. They also hope to qualify for the NCAA Championships again and to make a run at being All-Americans again.
Contact Mike Barnhart at Michael.Barnhart@UConn.edu.
Rutt ended up at UConn after being courted by number of different schools to play soccer. Rutt was impressed by head coach Greg Roy's program and the education that the university had to offer so he decided to stay on the track.
"I like that we are always getting invited to compete all over the country," Rutt. "It's exciting to be able to compete against the best out there."
Massachusetts has produced a long line of great UConn athletes. Between 2004 and 2006, Logan Jones and Joel Legare were both All-Americans on the track for the Huskies. These two are from the same area as Gagnon and they were also standouts in the 800 meter race. One day Gagnon's high school coach received a call from Roy during which coach Roy told him that he wanted Gagnon to follow in the footsteps of Jones and Legare. When Gagnon heard about the call, his mind was made up. He was going to UConn.
"I wanted to keep the tradition and live up to the standard that those guys set here," Gagnon said.
Gagnon has done a terrific job of doing that to this point in his UConn career. The junior has already been an All-American and he has been at the front of the pack in just about all of his races this spring.
Rutt and Gagnon's work as a tandem has not gone unnoticed by their coach either. Roy has seen both athletes make huge strides since stepping on the UConn campus.
"They are both hard workers and have been progressing well together," Roy said.
In a sport that has so much individuality about it, two track athletes have found a way to gain an edge by working as a team.
Both Rutt and Gagnon will have the chance to play a huge role in another UConn championship this weekend at the Big East Championships. They also hope to qualify for the NCAA Championships again and to make a run at being All-Americans again.
Contact Mike Barnhart at Michael.Barnhart@UConn.edu.
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