Rockland Scholar Athlete: North Rockland's Charlie Lagos

Justin Jones
jusjones@lohud.com

North Rockland senior cross country captain Charlie Lagos saved his best efforts for just the right time.

After missing last spring season due to a left knee injury, Lagos went through physical training and changed his workout focus a bit, concentrating more on his core strength. He felt no ill effects from the knee injury, and he proved to be a vital part of the Red Raiders' history-making season. The boys team won the first Federation cross country title in school history.

"It felt great to be a part of history and to be able to say I was a part of a Federation championship team," Lagos said. "Everybody around school started to pay us more attention and recognize us for our success, so it was different, but in a good way."

Coming into his final varsity season, Lagos was focused on doing well at the big meets, and he definitely did so at the big three — sectionals, states and Federations. At the sectional meet, he placed sixth in Class AA with a time of 16 minutes, 53.05 seconds. At the state meet, he finished 24th with a personal-best time of 16:06.5. At the Federation meet, he placed 35th in 16:52.7.

"They always read off the top 40 names and hand out awards to the top 40, so I wanted to be in that group, and I did that, so it was definitely a confidence-booster for me," Lagos said.

Lagos will now miss the winter season as he is gearing up for surgery, this time for lingering foot-related injuries. The surgery and subsequent recovery time will knock Lagos out of action until the spring season.

In the meantime, Lagos has narrowed his college options to two. His top choice is Maryland, and his second choice is Boston University. He has already made a visit to Maryland. He liked what he saw but has yet to make a commitment.

When he does choose a school, Lagos is looking to continue running cross country and study sports medicine.

"With all the physical therapy I've been through, I took an interest in it," Lagos said.

Lagos has excelled academically. He maintains a 97.8 average and ranks 21st in his class of 573 students. He has made the principal's list every quarter since he has been in high school.

Lagos also volunteers at his local church as a Sunday School teacher for fifth- and sixth-graders, and he helps teach two Korean students English.