JERSEY CITY, N.J. — New Jersey City University men's and women's cross country/track & field Head Coach Patrick O'Neill announced a pair of additions to his coaching staff today, Wednesday, July 21. The first is Wahjerjay Blango, who assumes the role of Associate Head Coach, while Ali Chaudhry '21 returns to his alma mater as an assistant coach.

Blango comes to Jersey City after spending parts of six total seasons from 2015-21 with American International College as a sprinter for their Division II women's track & field program. Most recently, after returning for her final year of eligibility at AIC in 2020-21, she captained the team to the Northeast 10 Conference Championship and was named co-Most Outstanding Track Performer for her efforts after winning gold in both the 200-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay.

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Coach Blango to the staff," said O'Neill. "She brings with her a wealth of experience in addition to her high energy and passion. Coming from a championship-caliber program, she knows what it takes to win at the highest level and is ready to make her mark here."

Throughout her career with the Yellowjackets, she amassed multiple impressive times, but her collegiate personal records are as follows: 7.87 (60m), 12.50 (100m), 25.23 (200m) and 56.38 (400m). Off the track, Blango was a 2019 cum laude graduate of AIC with a B.S.B.A. in International Business with minors in Economics and Finance. She also earned her MBA from American International in 2020. Additionally, she served as a graduate assistant in the College's Department of Developmental Education in 2019-20.

A native of Burlington, N.J., Blango graduated from Burlington County Institute of Technology in 2015.

Chaudhry returns almost immediately to his alma mater as the former NJCU cross country/track & field captain competed in both cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field during his time as an undergraduate. He competed in 10 different events as part of the track & field program ranging from the 200-meter dash all the way up to the mile, as well as javelin throw and long jump.

Toward the end of his career, he found his niche in the mid-distance events, as well as javelin. His best 800m time came toward the end of the 2019-20 indoor season (2:16.90), while his top javelin toss came in his final meet, the 2021 NJAC Outdoor Championship, with a throw of 29.75m. On the cross country side, his top 8k time came in the 2019 NJAC Championships at 31:36.00. In the 5k, he ran a 24:43.90 earlier that same season.

"Ali rejoins our team this fall now as an assistant coach," said O'Neill. "As an athlete within the program he was leader both on and off the track. In 2018 when we relaunched the track program here, he was one of the founding members and has been an integral part of what we have built."

A native and resident of Jersey City, Chaudhry earned a B.S. in Fire Science from NJCU in 2021. Prior to joining the Gothic Knights, he was a 2016 graduate of James J. Ferris High School, where he competed in tennis and soccer.