Tony Nicolosi Returns To Lead Spartans As A Senior

A University of Tampa cross-country member, Tony Nicolosi, is back and ready to go for his senior year of eligibility. Nicolosi, a fifth-year senior, took advantage of the NCAA's redshirt policy last season in order to preserve another year of eligibility.

Last year, the UT men's cross-country team's "top five", which indicates the starting five members based on their times recorded, was not clear after suffering setbacks. Fellow teammate Ryan McCall was lost due to a tragic death, and teammate Jeremy Lautzenheiser was involved in a car crash, hindering his athletic performance. With six new freshmen entering the team, Nicolosi thought it was in his best interest to utilize his option of redshirting one season, and focusing on obtaining an internship, while waiting for things to settle.

"With the struggling economy, and our top five not being exactly clear, I decided it was better to build up my resume," said Nicolosi.

The sport management major did exactly this; he focused his time and effort coaching high school students at Seminole High, his hometown school. It is very fitting that Nicolosi returned to his high school to coach, since his passion for cross-country bloomed there. Coaching the high school team during his red-shirted season also enabled Nicolosi to train and remain fit to return for his senior year of eligibility.

The Seminole alum has always liked sports, but never really participated in many up until his ninth grade, where he came across an influential person in his life. Seminole High School cross-country coach, Bruce Calhoun had a large impact on the person Nicolosi has become today. Calhoun had preached the importance of a good work ethic to the cross-country runner.

Calhoun taught Nicolosi, "In order to be good, you have to outwork everyone else." The UT senior has certainly taken this to heart as he has been honored several post-season awards including all-Sunshine State Conference and all-south region. However, if you ask Nicolosi which award he is most proud of would be the U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association all-academic recognition. According to Nicolosi, it is very important to have a balance of athletics and academics in his life, and to be recognized for it was a rewarding accomplishment.

UT cross-country coach Jarrett Slaven appreciates and encourages academic excellence amongst his athletes. When an athlete is given an academic award, such as Nicolosi's, Slaven hangs it up on the wall in his office.

As Nicolosi returns for this final year of eligibility, he hopes to return to his form following his impressive performance during this junior year. Nicolosi explained, "Time has helped and hurt some of our team," and he remains optimistic about this upcoming season with the top five. With the addition of a few incoming freshmen and the six sophomores, growing with experience, the University of Tampa cross-country team hopes to put together a solid top five lineup for its upcoming meets.

As for Nicolosi's plans following this semester, the scholar athlete hopes to remain in some form of a coaching atmosphere after he graduates this December. Graduate school is in Nicolosi's vision and he would like to mix in coaching en route to earning his master's degree. Nicolosi appreciates and encourages the idea of an athlete with balanced academics and athletics, and coaching would allow Nicolosi to pass this philosophy down.

Written by Steven Fidura (SPM 385)