Hartford Hawks Dominate CNE Cross Country Championship

The University of Hartford men’s cross country team solidified its regional standing this week as the Conference of New England (CNE) officially announced its all-conference selections. According to official reports from Hartford Athletics, the Hawks secured four spots on the all-conference teams, a recognition that follows the program’s dominant performance at the CNE championship.

Owen Klein Leads the Hawks

Junior Owen Klein, a native of Coventry, Rhode Island, emerged as the top performer for the Hawks. Klein clocked a time of 26:06.5 in the 8K race, a finish that placed him first overall among the field. His individual success anchored a team that has spent the season competing in the reconstituted CNE.

The Hawks Home Highlight of the Week Goes to Owen Klein Who Won the CNE Men’s Cross Country 8K as the Hawks Won the CNE Championship! #HawksUp pic.twitter.com/hdqc7oqGhf

— https://x.com/HartfordHawks/status/2116635314554827087

Second Team Honors for McIntyre and Johnson

The conference also recognized the contributions of senior Trae McIntyre and junior Daren Johnson, both of whom were named to the CNE second team. McIntyre, hailing from Troy, New York, crossed the finish line in 26:38.4 to secure sixth place. Meriden, Connecticut’s own Daren Johnson followed closely behind, placing seventh with a time of 26:41.7. These individual placements highlight the depth of the Hartford roster throughout the 2026 season.

Coaching Excellence in the CNE

Head Coach Connor Green was officially named the 2026 Conference of New England Coach of the Year. Green’s selection marks a milestone for the program, which operates within a conference that has undergone significant structural evolution over the past two years.

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The Conference of New England itself is a relatively new entity in Division III athletics. Originally established in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the league was reconstituted as the CNE in 2024. Today, it serves as an athletic home for 11 full member institutions and five associate members, all of which are tasked with balancing high-level intercollegiate competition with the academic rigors expected of NCAA Division III student-athletes. The conference currently oversees championships across 21 distinct sports, providing a framework for regional rivalry and athletic development that extends well beyond the cross country course.

For the University of Hartford, these selections follow a season where the team was led by Head Coach Connor Green. The program uses its digital presence—including platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube—to provide the latest information on Hartford Athletics.