Nicol Traynor joined the New York University men's and women's cross country and track & field staff as an assistant coach in August 2016. She is involved in all facets of the programs, with her primary focus being on the distance and mid-distance athletes.
The 2019-20 campaign included a great deal of success during the cross country and indoor T&F seasons (the outdoor season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic).
In cross country, freshman Siena Moran burst onto the scene and earned University Athletic Association (UAA) Rookie of the Year honors, was a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Atlantic Region performer, qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship, and was selected Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Runner of the Month (September). She also won individual titles at the Ramapo Season Opener and the Paul Short Invitational.
Two more of Traynor’s cross country runners, freshman Leah Haley and junior Dillan Spector, also qualified for the NCAA Championship.
Senior Evelyn Nkanga earned another NCAA All-America honor and was All-Atlantic Region in the triple jump, while also winning the UAA 200-meter title in an NYU-record time (25.21). Freshman Isre’al Conerly, had a sterling debut campaign as she won the 400-meter title and was named UAA Indoor Rookie of the Year. In addition, the Violets’ distance medley relay team of Haley, Moran, sophomore Gabby Lozano, and graduate student Rebecca MacLeod also earned All-Atlantic Region distinction.
The 2018-19 season was highlighted by a pair of All-America performances from sprinter Malcom Montilus, who took sixth indoors and eighth outdoors at the respective NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships in the 400m. Julian Montilus qualified for the 400m hurdles outdoors, while both brothers, along with Brett Asay and Daniel Devine, qualified for the outdoor 4x400m relay.
On the woman’s side, Nkanga qualified for the Indoor NCAA Championships in the triple jump and just missed earning All-America honors by one place. However, she did capture the ECAC Indoor Triple Jump Championship.
During the 2018 cross country season, Ben Haderle earned NCAA All-Atlantic Region honors and qualified for the NCAA Championship while Valentina House was named ECAC Metro Rookie of the Month for September
The 2017-18 men’s seasons were highlighted by Neil Saddler earning All-America honors (third place) in the 3,000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Malcolm Montilus, who also qualified for the NCAA indoors, excelled during the outdoor season as he garnered two Second Team UAA laurels as well as USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region honors.
During the cross country season, Saddler earned First Team All-UAA and USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region honors. Additionally, Brandon Shirazi achieved Second Team All-UAA and USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region accolades. On the women’s side, the Violets’ cross country team was led by Sabrina Hermann, who captured First Team All-UAA and USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region accolades. The indoor track & field season was capped by Nkanga earning an All-America honor (fourth place) in the triple jump at the NCAA Championships while Justina Sanders-Schifano also qualified for nationals. Both Nkanga (triple jump) and Sanders-Schifano (400 meters) were UAA Champions in their respective events. The outdoor track & field season saw both Nkanga and Sanders-Schifano earn USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region accolades, while Nkanga also took Second and Third Team All-UAA honors. Additionally, Morel Malcolm earned USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region accolades in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
In Traynor’s first season, Saddler and Jorge Maldonado qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Caleb Su broke the 60m indoor school record, William Lee was the UAA high jump champion and tied the 68-year-old outdoor school record, and the cross country team finished 32nd at the NCAA Championships.
For the women, Nkanga was the UAA triple jump champion and competed at the NCAA Indoor Championships while sophomore Mimi Conti broke the 400m outdoor school record and qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Traynor came to NYU after spending the previous four years as an assistant cross country and track & field coach at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ.
A 2012 graduate of the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, Traynor had a successful four-year career competing for the Spiders' track & field team. She was a Second Team All-American in the 3,000m steeplechase as a junior and qualified for the NCAA Championships three times. A six-time Atlantic 10 champion, Traynor was named the conference's Most Outstanding Track Performer as a senior. Additionally, she was a three-time Academic All-Conference selection.
Still an active runner, Traynor competes with the New Jersey Track Club. Most recently, she ran in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier.
Traynor is a native of Basking Ridge, NJ, and resides in Montclair, NJ.
