BY MARY GETTENS
Coach Karen Boen was named the 2022 NEC Coach of the Year after leading the Cross-Country team to second place overall at the NEC Championships.
Winning second place came after a tiebreaker between CCSU, where Stonehill’s cross-country team accumulated 47 points.
Coach Boen said that she was overjoyed and shocked at this recognition of Coach of the Year.
“It speaks volumes about the integrity of other coaches in the NEC, that they welcomed us and supported us and have the respect of what we are doing and voted for me, said Coach Boen who was quoted in a press release from Stonehill’s Athletic Communications Department.” I feel as though I am among some great coaches in the NEC, I am humbled, and I am so glad that we made a mark in the NEC, and hopefully contribute to the future success of the conference.”
Doug Monson, the Director of Athletic Communications adds, “It is pretty neat to get this recognition in year one at Division I to add to her nearly 70 Coach of the Year awards she has received over her Hall of Fame Career.”
Boen just finished her 25th year at the helm of the Stonehill Women’s Cross-country team and is a member of the US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
During her career, she earned 66 NE10 and US Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Associations (USTFCCCA) East Region Coach of the Year Awards.
Previously, she has coached both the Women’s Cross-Country Women team and Women’s Track and Field team, who have captured 18 NE10 Championships, and 16 NCAA East Regional titles, and have appeared in 21 NCAA championships.
Boen also coaches the Men’s Cross Country team and has won eight NE10 Championships, and five NCAA East Regional titles, and appeared in 18 NCAA championships.
Senior and Captain Victoria Lombardi said that she and the team are all proud to see Coach Boen be recognized by the NEC.
“Coach Boen works to get us to run our best at the right time. She shows up every day ready o give us her best. Her work ethic and enthusiasm are unmatched, so it is amazing to see her get recognized by the NEC. We are all so proud of her!,” Lombardi said.