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By Rachel Pinton ’01, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications, Marketing & Branding |  Winter 2023

One of the most decorated track and field athletes to come through 69ɫ����Ƶ, Cheickna Traore ’23 first stepped foot on American soil at the young age of five from the Ivory Coast. Traore quickly learned that the United States could offer him and his family a great opportunity for a quality life, including a top notch college education. “After focusing my college search solely on Division I and II schools, I was encouraged to take a look at Ramapo,” Traore said.

Traore immediately saw the campus for its tight-knit community.  After his first visit, he knew it was the place to call home for the next few years, deciding on Ramapo mainly because of Head Coach Justina Cassavell. “She showed me that she truly cared about me as a person. She was dedicated to have me compete as a Roadrunner.”  But the transition of getting accustomed to his new environment and the coaching staff was not so seamless at the starting line. “Coach Cassavell was 100% supportive and made me feel at home, but I didn’t trust Assistant Coach Ackeme Brown at first, which I told him right away.”

Traore’s background in high school included mostly cross-country. Daily trainings consisted of long distance running as the key component. Coach Brown changed tactics to teach Traore to use his number one artistry, his speed, and focus on the skill of sprinting. “Just watching his very first practice with me, I knew he could be special,” Assistant Coach Brown stated. “What he has done already in just over two years is beyond even my expectations.” Traore’s trust for Brown slowly built as each practice day passed, and with just one collegiate meet under his belt, the athlete/coach bond was evident. “It took just one meet for me to quickly understand why and how his trainings and belief in me would translate into a competitive collegiate career on the track, rather than running long distances, so the trust eventually settled in.”

Traore came to 69ɫ����Ƶ in the Fall of 2019 out of Innovation High School in Jersey City. “I am very grateful Cheickna decided to attend 69ɫ����Ƶ and embrace our program and our new sprint coach,” Head Coach Cassavell stated. “Watching them both develop into an incredible coach and athlete has been one of the highlights of my career.”

It was a short time in which Traore made his mark at the College as he earned one of his first accolades at the conclusion of his rookie season being named New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Indoor Track & Field Rookie of the Year.  “Ramapo in general, but especially my teammates, have become my community.  The College’s small nature has allowed me to meet so many great people both on my team and on the campus in general, and their support has lifted me to accomplish so much in such a short time.”

The list of records broken, both locally and nationally, and awards and honors he has already received is extensive, with still a full season of competing left under his collegiate belt. “The most meaningful accomplishment to me has to be my personal best time of 20.56 seconds in the 200-meter dash.” Traore clocked his personal best at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship where he posted the second-best time in NCAA Division III history, placing 2nd overall and earning All-American honors. “It was the biggest shock of my life.  I don’t think people quite understand what that time means as a Division III athlete, but it shows I can keep fighting to run faster,” he added.