WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Following a historic 2025 campaign, the University of Hartford women's cross country team returns to competition in 2026 looking to build on last season's success and continue its rise in the Conference of New England.
The Hawks placed fifth at the 2025 CNE Championships before making program history with their first-ever appearance at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships. Hartford finished 19th among 25 teams at the regional meet, earning the distinction of being the highest-finishing team from the Conference of New England.
A FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON
Hartford enters the 2026 campaign with a group that gained valuable postseason experience last season. After reaching the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships for the first time in program history, the Hawks will look to carry that momentum into another competitive schedule.
The Hawks will have an added advantage when the CNE Championships return to Keney Park on October 31st, giving Hartford the opportunity to compete for a conference title on its home course. The team will also return to Wickham Park in Manchester, Connecticut, for the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships on November 14th.
EXPERIENCE AT THE FRONT
Leading the way for Hartford is senior Sophia Rebenciuc (Southwick, Mass.), who established herself as one of the Hawks' top performers throughout the 2025 season. Rebenciuc finished eighth at the CNE Championships in 22:57.82, earning All-Conference honors, before leading Hartford again at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships with a 90th-place finish in 24:53.4.
Rebenciuc's 2025 campaign included a season-best 22:57.5 finish at the Connecticut College Invitational, where she placed 16th overall. She enters her senior season as one of Hartford's most experienced runners and a key leader within the lineup.
"I was extremely patient. Races weren't coming out at first, but I trusted my training and my fitness," Rebenciuc said. "After a few races I ran massive personal bests. I completed the full season without injury for the first time in years."
Rebenciuc will be joined by a group of experienced returners who helped Hartford make its historic NCAA appearance last season. Senior Annie Gilman (Lowell, Mass.) returns after finishing second among Hartford runners at both the CNE Championships and NCAA Mideast Regional Championships in 2025. Gilman placed 36th at the conference championship before finishing 108th at Regionals in 25:36.2.
Junior Ella Stephenson (Ledyard, Conn.) also returns after becoming a consistent contributor for the Hawks during her sophomore campaign. Stephenson finished 43rd at the CNE Championships and followed with a 112th-place finish at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, recording a time of 25:44.0.
Hartford will also welcome five newcomers to the lineup. The 2026 roster features a blend of experienced upperclassmen and underclassmen with an opportunity to make an impact throughout the season.
One of those newcomers is Grace Mitchell (Haddam, Conn.), a graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School. Mitchell was a three-time All-State selection, a three-time First Team Shoreline Conference honoree and a two-year competitor at the New England Championships. She was also part of three Class S championship teams and was a four-time Shoreline champion.
"I came out of high school feeling confident with my achievements and ready to tackle collegiate running with confidence. I had a good summer training as well as some of the best first weeks of the season I have ever had. I'm very excited to race this Saturday to put my training to the test," Mitchell said. "I want to be patient and not expect results immediately and have a lot of fun with my first season. I trust my coaches and teammates and I'm ready to hopefully have some great races."
FULL INCOMING CLASS
Delaney Casey (Charlton, N.Y.), Olivia Crabtree (Bellport, N.Y.), Meah Frani (Tolland, Conn.), Gwendolyn Marenghi (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Grace Mitchell (Haddam, Conn.).
SEASON OUTLOOK
Hartford opens the 2026 season at home on September 12th with the third annual University of Hartford Invitational at Keney Park. The Hawks will then travel to the UMass Dartmouth Invitational and the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University before making additional regular-season stops at Keene State, Connecticut College and Central Connecticut State.
The 2026 schedule provides Hartford with a pair of opportunities to compete in front of its home crowd. Keney Park will host both the opening Hartford Invitational and the Conference of New England Championships on October 31st.
The Hawks will close out the season at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships at Wickham Park in Manchester, Connecticut, on November 14th.
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