Middle School Track Program
New Canaan Recreation is excited to partner with the New Canaan Blazers (Boys Team) and CT Harriers (Girls Team) to offer Middle School Track & Cross Country programs.
All registration for both programs will take place through New Canaan Recreation.Program Websites:New Canaan Blazers: https://newcanaanblazers.com/CT Harriers: https://www.ctharriers.com/
USATF Membership:All participants must have a current USATF membership to participate. Make sure you verify Age when registering USATF Membership:https://www.usatf.org/home/top-utility-nav-content/membership
When completing your USATF membership, please use the appropriate club number:New Canaan Blazers: Club #05-0403CT Harriers: Club #05-11393
Note: If you already registered through another website, your coaches will be reaching out with a promo code so you can complete your registration through New Canaan Recreation at no additional cost.
Meet the Coaches-
New Canaan Blazers | Coach Bill MartinBrings professional experience to the program. Bill started his career in coaching as a grad-assistant coach at Boston University before being named Head XC and eventually Head Track & Field coach at IONA University. A brief stint in Eugene, OR, running for the Nike professional team, Athletics West, Bill returned to the east coast and became the Head Girls XC and assistant Boys Track & Field at New Rochelle HS, one of the premier HS teams in the US. Following a family move to CT, Bill became the head coach for both Girls and Boys at Norwalk HS and produced nationally ranked sprint relay teams. Moving over to coach the Boys HS team at NCHS 14 years ago, Coach Martin most recently produced an ALL-AMERICAN Distance Medley relay team at the New Balance Nationals recording the second fastest time in the state of Connecticut and another school record in the 4 x 800. His teams have rewritten the NCHS Track & Field record board. Eight years ago, Coach Martin founded the New Canaan Blazers to give NC youth an opportunity and a choice to explore the sport of running.
Three-time U.S. National Champion, eight-time NCAA Division I All-American, and three-time U.S. Olympic Trials competitor. He brings decades of running and coaching experience to the New Canaan Blazers and currently coaches at New Canaan High School.
CT Harriers | Coach BrentsonCoach Brentson has been coaching track & field and cross country since 1997, bringing nearly three decades of experience, including nine years working with middle school athletes. His coaching experience spans distance, sprints, hurdles, and jumps, and he has coached numerous conference and state champions across nearly every track & field discipline. Over the past seven years, he has helped transform New Canaan’s girls’ track and cross country programs into perennial conference and state contenders. During that time, the programs have earned four state team championships, four state runner-up finishes, two conference championships, and numerous individual and relay titles from the conference level through nationals. Known for his patience and long-term approach to athlete development, Coach Brentson focuses on building strong fundamentals, work ethic, confidence, and a lifelong passion for the sport.
CT Harriers | Coach HersheyCoach Hershey brings more than 10 years of coaching experience at the middle and high school levels, with a focus on long-term runner development. He emphasizes strong fundamentals, racing confidence, and creating a positive environment where young athletes can develop a lifelong love for the sport. A former high school and collegiate runner specializing in the 800, Coach Hershey has continued competing as a distance runner, completing more than 35 marathons and 50K ultramarathons across 32 states, with a marathon personal best of 2:51. He has coached championship teams at the middle school level in both track and cross country and has continued that success alongside Coach Brentson at New Canaan High School. Together, they have helped lead New Canaan’s girls’ cross country and track programs to multiple FCIAC and state championships and runner-up finishes. Whether working with a beginner running their first mile or an experienced athlete chasing a personal best, Coach Hershey focuses on building confidence, discipline, and a team environment where every runner feels they belong.