HARTFORD, Conn. – Opening the 2026 season, the University of New Haven Men's and Women's Cross Country team stayed in the Nutmeg State as they traveled north to the capital city to compete at the University of Hartford Invitational. The day was highlighted by a men's team fifth-place finish, and a women's team third-place finish, as well as seven new personal-best times across the teams. 

On the men's side, Connor Knee (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) led the charge for the Blue & Gold, finishing in sixth place overall. He ran the 5000 meter race in 16:16.4, setting a personal best.

Thomas Conklin (Wallingford, Conn./Lyman Hall) was the next Charger to go through the finish line. His final time was 17:08.5, which was good enough for 28th overall. He also set a personal best with this time. 

Julian Lika () came in 37th place with a time of 17:29.9. Knee, Conklin, and Lika round out the top three finishes for the Chargers. 

For the women's 3000 meter race, Josie Thompson (Towson, Md./Carver Center for Arts & Technology) set a personal best of 11:32.4. She finished 12th overall, and first for the Chargers. 

Daniela Bacigalupo (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) came in 16th overall with a time of 11:54.7 for the first race of her college career. 

Danielle Lynch (Hebron, Conn./RHAM) was right behind Bacigalupo in 17th place. She ran a 12:03.6 for a new personal best. 

Bernadette Karpel (New Haven, Conn./James Hillhouse), Kayley Catalano (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East), and Isabella Cornaro (Milford, N.H./Milford High School) also set new personal bests on the day.