Mike Vigil Returns to Coach Mount St. Dominic

The veteran leader resumes command of the cross country program for the 2026 season following a one-year hiatus.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Running

Mike Vigil Returns to Coach Mount St. Dominic

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Mike Vigil has returned as the head coach of the Mount St. Dominic cross country team for the 2026 fall season. The team currently holds a 5-0 record in dual meets.

Why it matters

The return of a coach familiar with the student-athletes provides continuity for the program. Vigil previously worked with these runners during the 2026 spring track season, citing their potential for success as a primary reason for his return.

The Mount St. Dominic program has secured four Essex County championships since 2010. During the spring 2026 season, runner Olivia Gromada clocked a 5:52 in the 1600 meters.

The players

Mike Vigil

He is the head coach of the Mount St. Dominic cross country team who previously coached distance runners during the 2026 spring track season.

Lena Nicolaidis

She is a member of the Mount St. Dominic cross country team who is expected to compete for All SEC first team honors.

Olivia Gromada

She is a student-athlete who participated in the 1600 meters during the spring 2026 track season.

The details

After taking a year off from head coaching in 2025, Vigil returns to lead the squad through their transition into the SEC Liberty division. The team maintains a small roster size, a strategy specifically designed to foster closer team cohesion.

Vigil began his tenure with the school in 2010.
The coach stepped away from his head coaching role in 2025.
Lena Nicolaidis recorded a 22:44 at the Osprey Invitational on September 18, 2026.
The Essex County Championships will take place in Cedar Grove on October 23, 2026.
Championship races are scheduled for November 2026 in Holmdel.

Season Trajectory

The team aims to reach the top seven at the Essex County Championship race in Cedar Grove. Achieving this milestone would mark a successful progression for the program as it adjusts to its new SEC Liberty division placement.

Lena Nicolaidis is currently positioned to compete for a top 20 finish in the Essex County rankings. The team's performance in the upcoming SEC Liberty race will be critical to their goals for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Maintaining a small team size can often improve overall cohesion and performance among high school distance runners. Athletes like Nicolaidis demonstrate that consistent coaching transitions can support continued individual progress throughout the season.