This is part of a series of interviews with former Cortland track and field and/or cross country individual national champions. This interview was conducted by Cortland track and field All-American Reilly Quinn '26 in 2026.
Interview Menu
Tracey Armstead '86
Overview:
Tracey Armstead is a five-time individual NCAA champion, a one-time NCAA team champion, and a twelve-time All-American.
In 2012 she was inducted into the SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame. Armstead still holds the Cortland school records in the long jump (indoor and outdoor) and the 55 meter dash (no longer contested indoors). Furthermore, Armstead won the Red Letter award for indoor track and field from the years of 1983-1985. The Monticello native currently resides in New York.
Why did you choose Cortland?
I chose Cortland because of a coach I had in high school. He was my soccer coach as well as my indoor and outdoor track coach. I was a person who did many sports: soccer, indoor track, outdoor track, and basketball. I was in the gym 24/7 and knew in middle school that I wanted to be a physical education teacher. That coach went to Cortland so he kind of steered me in that direction. He helped me get into Cortland and was my big motivator for getting me there. My coach took me in as his own; I didn’t think I was going to go to college and he forced me to fill out the paperwork. He even came to my house to have me fill it out and get everything going. My parents never came to one athletic event that I competed in. I was adopted when I was 12 in middle school and they had kids of their own while also adopting myself plus another boy; it was almost like we were on our own, so I'd spend most of my time playing sports in school.
What do you remember about your national title season(s)?
I remember the most about the championship in 1985. It was an overall team effort. That was the year that we won as a team. It wasn’t just me going to compete in states or nationals or sectionals. I wasn’t just out there on my own. It was much bigger than that. It was our whole team that went and we were there rooting each other on. It really came down to everyone putting in their effort to get the national championship.
What was winning your first title like?
It’s kind of hard to judge that because I was so used to competing at a high standard. There was something in me that had expected myself to achieve at that level. If I didn’t, I would be highly disappointed. It was hard, but it was something that I knew I would be able to do.
What is your favorite memory of Cortland?
My favorite memory of Cortland was the meet at George Mason. The week before, we were up at Manley Field House in Syracuse and I had gotten a PR (Personal Record). My goal for my freshman and sophomore year was to get over 20 feet in the long jump. So that was my personal goal; I had always gotten close. I would jump around 19’7” or 19’2”, but at Syracuse I achieved 20’1”. The next week we went down to George Mason where I jumped my best of 20”5”. I was hysterical because I did it two weeks back to back. Getting over 20 feet was my best memory.
If you could go back and change one aspect of your athletic or academic career, what would it be and why?
To have a support system earlier on in my athletic career. I didn’t really get a support system until I was in college. I met up with two families that took me under their wing and in as their own daughter. I did everything with them. Once I left home I never went back, I stayed at Cortland. People at the college were asking me “why are you here all of the time?” I would stay in the dorms while everyone went home for break. At one point a family said “just come over to our house.” So I had that connection with different families.
What have you taken from being a part of the team?
I would say having that connection as a whole. You know, you are one. There were a lot of times that we would get together and have a spaghetti dinner. We would just get together and be with each other. There was just a camaraderie between the girls and having something in common.
What are you doing now?
Well I have been retired for seven years. I taught physical education for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade; I was also coaching at the varsity and middle school level for track and field and soccer. I am now working with a program that works with the elderly. I go around with a list of people that may need help and give them dinners and groceries. I also work with a youth group teaching certain lessons. I also worked in the mall teaching pickleball lessons and helping at the desk. I do a lot of stuff around the community while also working on myself. I’m either playing pickleball or golfing, trying to do a lot of physical activity myself.
Do you have any advice for Cortland XC/TF athletes now?
Just enjoy yourself. Try to get the most out of being on a team and get the most out of your education. Strive for the highest and do the best that you can. And if you need help, ask for it. The one thing I found out is just ask because there is someone out there who needs the same thing. That is what I always tell my daughter, just ask and go for it. Even if you stand out by yourself, that's fine. Meet friends and other people that have a common ground with you. Always do the best you can.
