Eastern Christian senior Kristen Traub has to run fast, or she won’t have time for everything else on her agenda.

 

The Passaic County Coaches Association selected Traub as its Female Student-Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. During the past four years, Traub has established herself as one of the most prolific runners in North Jersey history.

 

Traub was the Non-Public B cross-country champion in 2009 and 2011, and won the Passaic championship three times in four years. Her fifth-place finish in the state Meet of Champions in November is the best by a North Jersey girl since Passaic Valley’s Jesse Mizzone placed third in 2002.

 

In the winter, Traub was the starting point guard for Eastern Christian’s basketball team before she resumed running in the spring. On Friday, Traub set a Passaic County 1,600-meter record with a 4:58.42 time, and she was named first-team All-Passaic four times.

 

When Traub isn’t rewriting history books, she might be studying them. A member of the National Honor Society, Traub will attend Marist on a track scholarship. In her sparse spare time, she participates in peer ministry, volunteers with Little League and reports for MSG Varsity.

 

“There’s never been a time I didn’t do anything,” Traub said. “If I didn’t do anything, I’d just be lazy. It’s always good to have something going on.”

 

Eastern Christian nominated Traub for the award, and the PCCA selected her as one of the finalists. Six judges outside of Passaic County, who are familiar with the local sports scene, chose her as the winner.

 

“It shows how hard work pays off,” Traub said.

 

Traub was winning races as early as 2003, when she was 9 and placed first in Brian’s Run in Wayne. She beat out 350 runners.

 

Kristen’s sister, Brianne, was a finalist for the award in 2010 for her achievements in soccer and basketball. The two have always had a friendly competition as they pushed each other in their respective sports.

 

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