University of Richmond Athletics
20 Questions with Nicol Traynor
02/08/2012 | Women's Track & Field
Editor's Note: Throughout the 2012 season we will interview a Spider Track & Field athlete each week and have them answer a set of 20 questions about their lives both in and out of the sport. This week we sit down with senior Nicol Traynor.
RichmondSpiders.com (RS): As a senior member of the program, what does being a Spider mean to you?
Nicol Traynor (NT): It means working hard on the track and in the classroom day in and day out.
RS: What is your fondest memory from your time with the team?
NT: My fondest memory with the team was when the men's and women's programs won the A-10 Cross Country Championships in 2010.
RS: Of all your teammates, both past and present, from whom have you learned the most and why?
NT: I would say my former training and racing partner, Amy Van Alstine. We've been close friends since I entered the program. She was (and still is) a great competitor, and although her career at Richmond wasn't always smooth sailing, she was able to put it together her senior year and earn All-American honors in the 5k outdoors. She made me realize that even though you might be down, you're not out. That has helped me stay positive when dealing with injury.
RS: What will you miss the most about your time as a Spider?
NT: I'll miss the team a lot when I graduate. It's hard running alone sometimes.
RS: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment both in and out of the sport?
NT: Being a year-round student-athlete in general at this school is a huge accomplishment. What makes running different from other sports is that we have no offseason, so we have to be on our game all year.
RS: You finished this past season as an All-American in the steeplechase. Having set the bar quite high in 2011, what kinds of goals have you set for yourself this year?
NT: I would like to get the A standard for the Olympic Trials for the steeplechase to guarantee a spot on the line in June. In that process, I would also like to run a fast mile and break 16 minutes for the 5k to get my confidence up.
RS: If your teammates gave you a superlative or two, what would they be?
NT: "Least Likely to Receive an Appropriate Superlative"
RS: When did you first begin running competitively? What led you to the sport?
NT: I started running cross country when I was in eighth grade. We used to run maybe two miles twice a week for practice. From there, I would go straight to soccer practice and tell my coach I didn't have to run because I already ran at a different practice. I also used to swim, which I eventually gave up my junior year of high school to start running cross country and track year-round.
RS: Who are your greatest role models both in and out of the sport?
NT: In the sport, I would have to say Jenny (Barringer) Simpson. She's a tremendous athlete and was the world champ in the 1500 Meters this past year. Outside of the sport, I would say my mom. She's from Colombia and first came to the U.S. when she was about my age. She could only speak a little bit of English but learned quickly, made it through school and now provides a great life for my brother and me.
RS: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?
NT: Work hard, dream big and have fun
RS: What is your major and dream job?
NT: I'm majoring in Mathematical Economics and my dream job would be doing something that I love and enjoy. I just don't know exactly what that is yet.
RS: Here's the prototypical question for the college senior... What are your plans for after graduation?
NT: I'm hoping to run in the Olympic Trials at the end of June. If all goes according to plan, I would like to continue running competitively after that and join a club.
RS: What has been your favorite class here on campus? Favorite professor?
NT: My favorite class is guitar and my favorite professor was Dr. Dolan. He's tough, but I learned a lot.
RS: Where is
your favorite spot on campus?
NT: My apartment!
RS: If you could go on a run with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
NT: I would say a 1985 version of Lori Taylor so I could see what she was like when she was my age.
RS: What is your favorite pro sports team? Favorite athlete?
NT: My dad is a huge Yankees fan, so I was raised as one, too. My favorite athlete, is Shalane Flanagan.
RS: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one person and thing would you like to have with you?
NT: I would bring my grandma and my dog. The three of us would have a great time.
RS: If you were granted any superpower, what would it be and why?
NT: To teleport so I could go to the beach whenever I wanted
RS: Let's say you could have the perfect meal prepared for you. What would it be?
NT: Steak, shrimp and cheesecake
RS: What's something interesting about you that most people don't know?
NT: I actually own a wardrobe outside of my running clothes!
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