The diagnosis came in mid-September, right before the high school cross country season was about to begin. If veteran St. Dominic Academy head coach and athletic director John Nagel had his way, he would have put off the radical surgeries that were downright necessary to keep him alive, because to him, the girls he coaches mean everything to him.
But doctors wouldn’t allow Nagel to delay the three intensive surgeries. Nagel doesn’t want to say in print what the source of his illness was – he doesn’t like the word attached to the hideous disease that is the No. 1 killer of everyone in this country – but delaying the inevitable could have meant his mortality.
However, after a few weeks in the hospital and after a seemingly rapid recovery, Nagel went right back to doing what he does best – coaching the girls at St. Dominic, like he’s done every year for the last 30-plus years.
So the day he was released from the hospital in October, Nagel went right to Bayonne County Park to watch his team compete in the Hudson County cross country championships.
“It is what it is,” Nagel said. “I get energy from the kids.”
Doctors told Nagel that he should take a few weeks off to recover fully. But on the same day that he was released from the hospital, he was back where he knew he truly belonged.
“I enjoy coaching,” Nagel said. “I can’t imagine not doing it. It’s a blast, a lot of fun. Sure, there were days when I was slow moving and tired, but I wasn’t going to let it get to me. I’m cognizant of how serious it is, but I wanted to keep going. And sure, the kids energized me.”
The news of Nagel’s illness hit home with the girls he coaches, because although he can be a stern task master and a stickler for being on time, responsible and hard working, the kids all adore him.
“At first, we were all very upset,” said senior Susana Matamoros. “But once we saw he was back every day, we got stronger. I mean, he was always there, regardless of what was going on. So we were determined that we were going to stick together. He’s really been inspirational to us.”
Fellow senior Katherine Capetola agreed.
“I think we all draw a lot of inspiration from him,” said Capetola, whose older sister, Christine, was The Hudson Reporter Female Athlete of the Year in 2005. “He teaches us lessons every day, but just having him being there every day has been amazing.”
Nagel is still receiving treatment for his condition, but he’s reaching the end of his grueling road.
“But even when I’m getting the treatment, I’m looking to get out of the treatment to get to practice,” Nagel said. “Sure, it makes you appreciate everything you do. I want to spend time with Ashley [Nagel’s 11-year-old daughter]. I want to coach. Coaches coach. That’s what I do. I look forward to it every day.”
His condition irregardless, Nagel said that he was highly anticipating this indoor season.
“We had a good cross country season and I thought the team was pretty good,” Nagel said. “But we don’t burden them with what was done in the past. We don’t talk about different meets or goals at all. It’s one meet at a time.”
But the Blue Devils had won the last five consecutive HCIAA and Hudson County Track Coaches Association team titles. There is a history and tradition to uphold. There is a legacy of 15 HCTCA titles in the last 20 indoor championships. It’s called a dynasty.
However, most of the Blue Devil runners had no idea about the tradition of SDA track and field success.
“Not one bit,” senior Morgan West said. “I didn’t know anything about it.”
“I had no idea,” Matamoros said. “I never ran track before I got here.”
But they certainly know about the tradition now. West won two events at the recent HCTCA championships at the Jersey City Armory, winning the 55-meter dash and the 400-meter run. She also placed second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the high jump, so her 32 team points went a long way.
The winning didn’t stop there. Taylor Allen won the 55-meter hurdles in impressive fashion. Meghan Donovan won the 1,600-meter run, with Matamoros a close third. Donovan was second in the 3,200-meter run, right in front of teammate Sarah Sisk.
When the smoke cleared, the Blue Devils had 85 points, ahead of runner-up McNair Academic’s 72. SDA had its sixth straight HCTCA title and completed a clean sweep of this year’s indoor championships (the HCIAA Relays, the Jersey City championships, the HCIAA and HCTCA championships).
“It’s a significant thing, winning six years in a row,” Nagel said. “It’s never been done before, boys or girls. West is a stud. She did what she’s asked to do. She does the heavy lifting. Katherine Capetola’s body betrayed her. She hasn’t been able to run for almost two years. We have others like Celeste Vasil, a senior who is fourth in her class, who comes every day and is an example to the younger kids.”
“It’s awesome,” West said. “I think we all went in with a clear head and didn’t worry about any pressure about winning. I know we didn’t want to be the one to lose. It’s a good feeling.”
”It’s a good way to go out,” Matamoros said. “It’s almost too unreal for words. It feels good to keep the tradition going.”
The seniors know of the winning tradition now. They all know of the sacrifice their coach made.
“The support that the SDA community has given me has been very positive and I’m thankful,” Nagel said. “There has been a lot of enthusiasm.”
And now, Nagel looks toward the future with a positive outlook.
“We take it one year at a time,” Nagel said. “But I have a nice group of kids. We’re not going anywhere. The plan is for me to be here. I’m having a ball and I look forward to it every day.”
It’s the only way anyone should live.
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