York College

Vashti Valerius ‘10, a member of 3 CUNYAC Championship teams during her time as a student-athlete at York College, has been named head men’s and women’s cross country coach, and will serve as assistant indoor and outdoor track & field coach.

"As a proud alumna, it is truly an honor to join the coaching staff of an historic program that I contributed to. Inspirational leaders such as coach Pope and coach Johnson taught me, encouraged me and motivated me along my journey both on and off the field.  And these men are literally the shoulders of giants that I am stepping on to continue this program. This is such a momentous moment for me since these are the shoes that I will have to fill to help take the cross country as well as the track and field programs to the next level!"

Valerius graduated from York in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and theater arts.  She competed as a member of the women’s cross country team for 3 seasons and the indoor/outdoor track & field teams for two seasons.  Valerius contributed to cross country championships in 2006 as well as titles for indoor and outdoor in 2005 & 2006.  She competed in the 400-, 800- and 10,000-meter, hammer throw and shot put events during her time as a Cardinal.

Hailing from Jamaica, Queens, Valerius worked for the New York City Department of Education from 2015-22 on the Outreach Team as a community coordinator for Pre-K for All.

Valerius currently resides in the Rockaway Beach section of Queens and is a graduate of Cathedral High School.