She ran middle-distance for Villanova University and was an NCAA All-American in 2011. She represented the United States at the Universiade in 2013.
Career
Early life and college running
Born to Ken Schappert and Jane Ackerman, Tully grew up in a sporting family. Her father has competed nationally in middle-distance running and for Villanova University, while was an NCAA finalist for the school in swimming.[clarification needed] Tully grew up in Delray Beach, Florida and won state titles in running while attending Pope John Paul II High School briefly attended Wake Forest University[1] but, dissatisfied with her running development, transferred to her parents' alma mater. She began a business and marketing major at Villanova and met her future husband, Sean Tully, on the Villanova Wildcats track team.[2][3]
After graduation, Nicole began studying for a master's degree in communication at Rutgers University and also continued running. In 2011 she improved her 1500 m best to 4:10.02 minutes and had her first national placing at the United States 5K Championships, coming seventh.[6]
Nicole failed to make the national finals in 2013 but made her international debut at the Summer Universiade and made the 1500 m final, placing eighth. In her first appearance on the major international track circuit, she set a 3000 m best of 8:55.48 minutes to place tenth at the adidas Grand Prix in New York.
On 1 May 2016, Nicole improved her personal best in 5000 m to 15:04.08. Nicole made the 5000 m final at 2016 US Olympic Trials (track and field). Nicole ran a personal best mile at 2016 Sir Walter Miler hosted by Meredith College in 4:29.78.