Kean University Launches the First Collegiate HYROX Team

Kean University has become the first university in the country to establish an official HYROX team for faculty, staff and students. 

HYROX is a global fitness race that combines running with functional workout stations and offers multiple divisions for athletes of varying experience levels. Events are held worldwide and athletes can train individually or in groups.

Kean Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Danielle Todman contacted HYROX USA to begin the process of establishing Kean as the first collegiate team in the country after hearing about interest on campus.

“We’re the first ones that have done it,” Todman said. “Now, we are looking to create a lane for collegiate teams to compete against each other at HYROX races.”

Kean’s team has already grown to more than 75 participants, with faculty and staff training in the morning and students working out in the afternoon at campus fitness centers outfitted with HYROX equipment in Union and Jersey City.

Training focuses on the core components of a HYROX race: running, sled pushes, sled pulls, wall balls, rowing, the SkiErg, farmers carry, sandbag lunges and burpee broad jumps. 

Because HYROX combines endurance and strength, it can appeal to competitors with different athletic backgrounds and experience levels, including those whose abilities do not fit neatly into a single traditional sport.

“This opens doors for students who want that competition feel but aren’t necessarily just a runner or just a strength athlete,” Todman said. “They have a way to combine all their skills to represent Kean as an athlete as well.”

Assistant Coach Chaa-Nah-Yah Brathwaite sees the impact the team is having on participants.

“I believe everybody has a chance to showcase who they genuinely are,” Brathwaite said. “I love HYROX because any person can join, and it’s beautiful because we can help develop anybody who’s willing.”

For junior Jadiel Enchautegui, that opportunity came unexpectedly. A former high school football and track and field athlete, Enchautegui was seeking a way to continue his athletic career when he saw a flyer after leaving class one day that led him to Kean’s HYROX team.

“It directly impacted my college experience physically, but also socially,” Enchautegui said. “I feel more uplifted and never would have thought I’d have this opportunity to be part of this community.”

Kean is currently competing in standard HYROX events while working with the organization to explore the future of collegiate competition. The team plans to participate in singles and doubles events and hopes to eventually host a HYROX event at Kean.

As Kean’s HYROX affiliation develops, Todman sees an opportunity for the University to become a training hub for athletes beyond its campuses. 

“There are a lot of endurance and hybrid athletes sitting between Union County, Bergen County and Hudson County,” Todman said. “Kean having a HYROX affiliation can help open new doors to the community.”

For Todman, being entrusted with building the program from the ground up carries special significance.

“I sit in humility because somebody thought that I was worthy enough and trustworthy enough to build this great opportunity,” Todman said. “I didn’t realize just how historic this is.”

Kean students, faculty and staff interested in joining the HYROX team are encouraged to fill out an interest form.