Each week during the school year the Naples Daily News selects athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to [email protected] and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll each Monday on naplesnews.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week poll receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, the Naples Daily News will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week for March 24-29 was Gulf Coast track and field standout Johnny Ruggiero. The senior finished first in the 400-meter dash at the North Port Invitational, clocking a time of 50.02, along with a fourth-place finish in the 4×800 relay. He received 56% of the vote.
Question: How early did you get into track and field? What drew you to the sport?
Ruggiero: I first began growing interest into track in seventh grade, but COVID ended the season before it began. I then ran in eighth grade and had success, so I fell in love with the sport. Ms. (Charlotte) Bremsesh, the coach at Oakridge, was asking me to run, and I finally gave in, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
What has it been like making a large impact in your final season?
Ruggiero: It’s awesome, I been working the past three years for the times I been hitting this year. It’s great to finally see the payoff. Coach (Manual) Evans coming to Gulf Coast was also a very important reason why I am able to run how I am. He is a great coach and mentor, one of the best around. As well coach (Andrew) Grillo and coach (DeMarcus) Townsend have pushed me throughout the season, and I couldn’t do anything without them. My teammates also help me make the impact I am, without them pushing me at practice every day I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing. Lastly, without the support of my family none of this is possible.
Do you have a ritual or routine before a meet?
Ruggiero: The main thing I do consistently before a meet is pray to God, thanking him for the opportunity and blessing to even run every day and stay healthy. Without God, none of this is possible.
Do you have a track and field athlete, current or former, that you look up to?
Ruggiero: I look up to Matthew Boiling and Noah Lyles. The reason being is because they show great work ethic, and there success shows for it. They are great examples for the next generation of runners.
If you weren’t doing track and field, what sport would you be playing?
Ruggiero: I originally played baseball before quitting to run track. I played since I was 6 and that would be the sport I would’ve continued if I didn’t run track.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
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