North Rockland's James Naglieri wasn't always the runner he is today. Before fully committing himself to running cross country and track, the Stony Point native also dabbled in both basketball and baseball.
Though his interest in running was always there thanks to a shared family interest, Naglieri admits he never truly truly loved the sport like he does now.
"I've definitely changed since running as a freshman or even a sophomore," this week's Rockland Scholar Athlete of the Week award winner said. "I enjoyed it then, but not to the extent I do now. I live and breathe it every day. It's just indescribable for me."
Once Naglieri had experienced his first big win in cross country at the Ray Roswell Freshman championships, North Rockland cross country coach Barry Baloga pulled him aside and had a talk that helped shape his running career.
"Coach told me I had broken the course record by about 10 seconds," Naglieri said. "He asked me, 'Do you still want to play baseball or basketball and ride the bench or do you want to achieve greatness (as a runner in Section 1)?'
"I remember that talk vividly because it changed my life. He's such a great guy and has been there for me from the beginning."
Naglieri apparently made the right choice because he is now recognized as one of the top runners in the section. Though he struggled during his senior cross country season this past fall, he's slowly getting back into top form in the winter track season after being sick at the beginning.
Naglieri helped the Red Raiders win the League IV-A championship when he finished first in both the 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 39.50 seconds) and the 3,200 (9:55.50).
"That gave us a big lift," North Rockland track coach Gene Dall said of Naglieri's performance. "He led right from the opening gun and never gave up the lead in either event. He really set an example for the younger guys of how to get it done and score points."
Naglieri is finally healthy and ready to compete at the level he's accustomed to.
"I just felt relaxed ," he said of his two first-place finishes. "It boosts the self-esteem and I'll be carrying that confidence into the county meet on Sunday."
Naglieri has orally committed to Wagner College, where he will continue his running career on an athletic and academic scholarship.
"My sister Jenna ran for Wagner and had a lot of great things to say about the school and the program," Naglieri said. "Toward the beginning of winter, I went up to visit the school and met the coach and got along great.
"I've gone to my sister's high school meets and went to her college meets and it's like it was almost meant to happen."