PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Bobby Farrell announced that Nicol Traynor has joined the staff and will work with the program's distance runners. Traynor comes to Rutgers following a five year stint at NYU where she was involved in all facets of the men's and women's programs, with her primary focus being on the distance and mid-distance student-athletes.
"We are very pleased to welcome Nicol to the staff! She brings a wealth of experience as both an elite athlete and coach. She's a perfect fit to the staff and I can't wait to watch this distance program take off to new heights," said Farrell.
During her five year career with the Violets, Traynor helped guide several successful moments, including NCAA Championship qualifiers, All-Americans, conference Rookie of the Year honors, and all-region performers.
In cross country, freshman Siena Moran 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.
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.
Traynor came to NYU after spending the previous four years as an assistant cross country and track & field coach at her alma mater 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.
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