Captain Brimah leads the way in Husky Run

STORRS – The UConn men’s basketball team put the 2014-15 Husky Run in the record book Wednesday afternoon and the Huskies did so with some historical flair.

For the record, there was a steady rain during the 5K/3.1 mile run but that just added some extra intrigue for coach Kevin Ollie, who never has been fond of shortcuts or easy work conditions. In fact, Ollie, 41,  took part in the run this year and finished ahead of nine of his players while trailing only two.

Long-time observers of the run couldn’t recall the event, which began under Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun, being run in the rain before. And yet another, more important first might have been accomplished at the finish line when 7-foot center Amida Brimah crossed before any of his teammates.

“That’s probably the first time in history that a big guy won this,” said Ollie, who completed the course through campus in 21 minutes 25 seconds – just 63 seconds behind Brimah. “That’s very impressive. Records are meant to be broken. I imagine no one has ever done that in history, if you go back through the archives. For him to do that, that’s pretty astounding.

“That’s an amazing sign [for the season] But we know he can run. He has said his forte is long distance running. He proved that.”

 

Brimah, who had shoulder surgery after the national championship season and spent most of the summer in rehab,  told Ollie that he was going to win before the race. Forward DeAndre Daniel, who left after his junior season, had won the past two years.

“Comparatively to people in my country, I’m slow,” said Brimah, who played soccer in his native Ghana.

Brimah said he is 100 percent and ready to practice Saturday morning when the Huskies gather for the first time officially this season.

“I’ve been working all this summer,” Brimah said. “Always trying to get better.”

Ollie announced Wednesday that Brimah, just a sophomore, will play the roll of co-captain for the Huskies along with senior point guard Ryan Boatright.

“Coach just asked me who, in my opinion, should be  a co-captain with me,” Boatright said. “I said Amida. He works hard. He’ll come back to the gym at night to work on his game. He wants the best for everybody. He’s a great teammate. He has always had a great personality, he was just in a little shell last year, he was a little quiet last year because he was a freshman. He’s a lot more confident and a lot more comfortable.”

Boatright becomes the main man on this team, taking over the role that Shabazz Napier held on the national championship team. That should be an easy transition but he wants the team to set a get tone on Saturday. He knows there won’t be many basketballs in the gym.

“I just want to go out, work hard and attack the practice,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult. You know what to expect. You know its going to be hard. I want to go out and win every drill. Lead the guys through practice. The new guys have never experienced it. I’ll never forget my first time. I’m just going to be there to get everybody through it.”

HUSKY NOTES

Pat Lenehan, the former walk-on who boosted to a scholarship this summer, sat out the run with a sore foot.. . . The schedule for First Night festivities at Gampel Pavilion on Oct. 17 has been announced. Doors open at 5 p.m., with FanFest on Fairfield Way starting at 3 p.m.. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will sign autographs from 5:30 to 6:30. The show, which included the co-ed scrimmage, three-point shooting contest and other prizes for fans, runs from 7 to 8:15. Fans will get a dual championship commemorative credential. The first 6,000 fans will receive Husky glow sticks. . . . The documentary film “Jim Calhoun: Born to Lead” will be screened at the Bushnell on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

Husky Run Times

Amida Brimah 20:22

Omar Calhoun 20:51

Kevin Ollie 21:25

Kentan Facey 21:48

Ryan Boatright 21:50

Terrence Samuel 22:12

Daniel Hamilton 24:01

Rodney Purvis 25:37

Sam Cassell Jr. 25:38

Phil Nolan 25:46

Nnamdi Amilo 26:40

Rakim Lubin 29:14

Overall winner: Jon Gill, Lyman Hall High School, 18:30