WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford Women's Cross Country team is looking to build on a fairly successful 2024 season. Last year the Hawks saw two top five finishes, notably taking second place in the ECAC Championship.
Familiar Faces:
The Hawks will welcome back 12 returners in 2025, whose experience will look to lead Hartford to a successful season. Amongst these returners some key pieces include; senior Elizabeth White (Nashua, N.H.) who in 2024 was awarded with Conference of New England (CNE) Academic All-Academic honors. White also finished with a best 3k time of 13:35.6, and 6k time of 26:25.6.
"This year we all want to hold each other accountable and work hard. We all put in a lot of good summer training, and I think it's all going to pay off really well." said White.
Additionally the Hawks welcome back junior Annie Gilman (Lowell, Mass.) who finished with a season best 6k time of 26:04.3. She looks to use her experience to serve as a leader for Hartford in 2025.
"I am hoping that we do even better than last year, we have a lot of new girls that just joined, and I'm hoping to see a better outcome, and just keep getting better." said Gilman
The Hawks will also welcome back sophomore Ella Stephenson (Ledyard, Conn.) who was awarded with CNE Runner of the Week honors (9/9/24) with a 3k best time of 12:25.9 and a best 6k time of 25:36.0. As she enters year two she looks to build on her success from last year in her second year of collegiate competition.
"Our goals are to just work together when it comes to racing. Last year we did a great job of working together during races, and pushing each other, talking to each other while racing. And we have some freshmen coming in where we should be able to work together as a pack". Gilman said.
A New Look:
Hartford will bring in four newcomers, who under head coach Connor Green look to take on the guidance of the Hawk returners and make a splash in both the CNE, as well as the NCAA tournament for the first time in DIII program history.
Full Incoming Class:
Peyton Massino (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), Madeline Polochick (Acushnet, Mass.), Maya Siegelman (Suffern, N.Y.), Leah Valentino (Beacon Falls, Conn.)
Season Outlook:
The Hawks will compete in eight events in the 2025 season, kicking things off at home for the second annual University of Hartford Invitational at Keney Park in Windsor, Conn. Hartford will also return to the ECAC Championship, as well as previously mentioned looking to compete in the NCAA Mideast Regionals.
