Highlights from Last Season:Part I

As many might know that we are the most populated team on campus and with that brings great promise of success to the team as a whole.  As we look back at what has highlighted the team last year, we take the little steps forward to becoming better, not only as a team, but as individuals.  The XC team is already back at UHa, so why don't we start with their season last year.

The XC team had a very strong showing at all meets they competed in, with Senior Jonas Hampton and Junior Andy Chamlers leading the way.  Others that followed were Corey Smith, Wes Melnik who just graduated from UHa, Matt Le, Wayne Lawrence, Josh Hummel, and the rest of the Hawks. Through each meet, they have gotten down and gritted out the hardships of each repeat mile workout in Elizabeth Park and hill in their path. They each have their own success stories off and on the trails and woods they repeatedly run through each meet.  The most promising performance from the team as a whole would be at the Hawks first Annual Riverfront XC Invite.  Only a couple of mins away from the school grounds, the Hawks battled out against URI and Farmington State College. Chalmers and Hampton were leading the pack the whole way through the course with another competitor from URI, Michael Pezzullo, who finished behind the top two Hawks.  Gave them a run for their money going through the 8k race.  Through woods, running by the river, up a hill, and full of jagged rocks, the Hawks came out on top and won the very first Riverfront Invite.  After this meet, the Hawks continued their success as each runner improved their times over the XC season up to America East Conferences, New England's, had 7, that's right I said 7, Hawks represent the school at the NCAA Regionals.  They each continued their success and felt very good going into the next stage of the year, Indoor and Outdoor. The guys include only 3 new comers to the squad while the rest are returners ready to run.  Hope they are ready for what lies ahead of them.

The Lady Hawks XC season was also just as spectacular as the men's.  Each runner found success on the courses. Each runner had their own helping hand to where they are today.  During the year, you would see 3 different Hawks come in leading the way. Ariana Bass, Kayla Koonz, and Kaycee Martinez each shared the times of coming in first for the Hawks. At the very first Annual Hawks Riverfront Invite, the Lady Hawks placed 2nd at the meet with  URI took home the title for the women.  The top Hawk was Ariana Bass leading the way finishing 5th in the time of 20:07. Coming in after her was Stefanie Lombardi and then Kayla Koonz rounding out the top 3 for the Lady Hawks. The season where being in a tight group all the way through the 8k course and pacing off each other is more like a"support" season.  Where you can find yourself receiving support from on coming runners from different schools or being in a group of 20 runners and each person shares the lead.  During the school year, the Lady Hawks have been given great competition in out and the courses.  The lady Hawks now include 5 new freshman to the squad as they prepare for another season ahead of them .

I wish them all best of luck in the upcoming season.  Stay tuned for Part II and III for the Indoor and Outdoor Seasons highlights.

Back to School

Man oh Man, we are coming down to the wire of this Summer 2010..School starts when August 31st, which is a Tuesday for us XC team goes back the 24th which is like 30 mins from now..I know they are happy to be back.. Leading the way of this crazy XC team is Senior Jonas Hampton and Junior Andy Chalmers. Andy Chalmers best 8k time of 26:20 and Jonas right behind him with 26:21 will be showing the new comers to the Hartford Hawks XC team how discipline, dedication, motivation, and hard work helps you get through this perennial season.  I call it the "get down and get dirty season". The Hawks last year can explain to you themselves how messy and muddy it got last year at New England's in Boston. I hope the freshman can handle this muddy situation.  The guys this year are looking for a strong season from each runner. This is the last XC season for Jonas Hampton, Josh Hummel, and Corey Smith.  Hope they all see what is in-front of them, something I call success..

On the girls XC team, we look at returning athletes such as the leader of the group Kayla Koonz.  Leading the way through the XC season and then switching gears to the Track. She admittedly said she has never ran on the "oval" before last year, but she helped pave the way for a new wave of runners for the long distance crew.  Alongside her this year will be newcomers and seniors might I add, Marisa Poleto and Mahrukh Khawaja.  They will be helping the team out with points as they gear up for the new season.  As they lost Ariana Bass, Kaycee Martinez, Melanie Wilson, and Stefanie Lombardi to graduation, we expect that everyone will step up and put their hearts out there in the trails.

The season for the XC team starts soon as they all come back to train hard and enjoy the season..

For the Indoor and Outdoor teams, on the women's side we see returners that have helped put points on the board every time and has broken her own record in every meet, Brittney Lawson. A true freshman last year, has been working hard throughout the year to put her name on the record board every day. Also in the throws, Carolyn Grime, and Catie Nyitray. Pole vaulter, Caitlyn Hauswirth, who has broken the school record in the vault multiple times during the year. In the jumps we are looking for all the standouts to come back, Miranda Wallace, Nicolle Adams, and Kristalena Lamore and in the hurdles as well with Natalie Bonham and Stephany Hanson.  On the track, you have another freshman last year, Priscilla Appiagyei, who has dominated the 400 for the Hawks, garnering All-New England Honors in the 400.  The 4x400 relay are coming back off a great season as well ready to tear up the track, but is now faced with the dilemma of who is going to be the new two legs??

On the guys side, you have a number of standouts ready to come back and show the conference and other schools who the Hawks are.  In the throws we have Anthony Greenman coming back to toss the discus and shot during the season to improve his record that he has from last year. In the jumps we welcome back, Ackeme Brown to the jumping scene as well as CJ Douglas. Both were standouts for the Hawks on the runway. On the track each runner has seen success after success.  The relays for the teams have always been the highlights of the teams each and every meet. With the 4x800 coming off a huge season as well as the 4x400, you think the members of each relay wasn't coming back.  Wrong, each and every member of both relay teams are coming back strong.  Individually you see some performances from Junior Anderson Emerole and Senior Warren Lane.  Each have runner has seen success in their own events during the season bettering times and breaking records.  The one that will completely keep us in shock is Mike Dupaul. Coming from UConn, Mike has broken records in the 800 and 1000 during the only year he was with the Hawks.  A site to be missed.

The team will be coming back August 25th and 29th as we gear up and get ready for another upcoming pre-season with the coaches.  September 20th is that Day we start.

First meet is September 11,the 2010 at the Trinity Invite @ Wickham Park, with something we like to call "The Green Monster"

To see the full schedule go to hartfordhawks.com and go to Cross Country under sports.