WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University men's and women's cross country and track and field head coach Byron Moore announced Friday that Nykol Pratt has been elevated to Associate Head Coach for the men's and women's cross country programs beginning with the 2026 season.

Sierra Nykol Pratt, a former Gallaudet cross country and track and field student-athlete, enters her fourth season on the Bison coaching staff. Nykol will take on an expanded leadership role with the cross country programs and will continue to serve as an assistant coach with Gallaudet's men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field programs.

The restructuring will allow Moore, who continues to oversee the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs, to dedicate additional time to recruiting and the continued development of Gallaudet's men's and women's track and field programs.

"Nykol has been an important part of our cross country and track and field programs, first as a student-athlete and now as a coach. She understands Gallaudet, she understands our student-athletes, and she has a tremendous passion for distance running," said Moore. "This expanded role is a natural next step for her and will allow her to take greater ownership of our cross country programs while helping us continue to grow our overall track and field program."

Pratt began her coaching career at Gallaudet as a volunteer assistant with the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs in 2023. She moved into an assistant coaching role with cross country in 2024 and has served as an assistant coach with the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field programs.

During Pratt's time on staff, Gallaudet has produced two United East Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Year honorees. Roberto Torres earned the honor in 2023 before Sevan Ikeda turned in a memorable debut season in 2025. Ikeda won the United East men's cross country championship and was named the conference's Runner and Rookie of the Year last season.

Pratt continued to work with Ikeda during the 2025-26 track and field season, where he won the 5,000-meter run at the 2026 United East Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Gallaudet University.

"This program supported me so much as a student-athlete, and I am excited to continue to give back to a program that means so much to me," said Pratt. "Distance running has always been a passion of mine, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to take on this expanded role and help lead our cross country programs. We have a talented and young group of student-athletes, and I am excited about what we can accomplish together this fall."

Pratt brings nearly two decades of combined experience in cross country and track and field as an athlete and coach.

The Katy, Texas, native competed for Gallaudet's women's cross country program in 2018, '19 and the women's track and field program during the 2019, '20 and '23 seasons.

Pratt remains among the top distance runners in Gallaudet women's cross country history. She currently ranks eighth all-time in the 6-kilometer race with a time of 25 minutes, 33 seconds, set at the Don Cathcart Invitational on Sept. 29, 2018, at WinterPlace Park in Salisbury, Md. Her time ranked fourth in program history at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Pratt capped her collegiate career in 2023 when she earned a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Colonial States Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She finished third with a time of 14:25.89 on Gallaudet's Thomas O. Berg Track.

Gallaudet will open the 2026 men's and women's cross country season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Dutchmen Invitational hosted by Lebanon Valley College at Union Canal Tunnel Park in Lebanon, Pa.