Student-Athlete of the Week: F-M’s Julianna Cogliandro

FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS, N.Y. (WSYR) — Julianna “JuJu” Cogliandro experienced majority of last season from the bench

“You know, I realized that I still had an important role in the team being on the bench and still being a captain. And I realized I still had to step up and support my teammates in ways that they supported me and just being loud on the bench and being a good teammate,” Cogliandro said.

Tearing her ACL a month into the season, JuJu embraced her new position on the lacrosse team with grace

“Obviously, being on the bench last year wasn’t the role that I wanted, but I realized that it was still a really important role, and it just taught me a lot about being a good team player, whether that’s in sports or work or at school or anything. You just you got to find where you can still thrive and be a good person for everyone around you,” said Cogliandro.

 JuJu has used that adversity to grow as a player and teammate 

“Watching her develop into the leader she is now because of that has been so cool to see as a coach. She was really high up on the sidelines, kind of became a fourth coach for us last year. And I think that experience has really helped to inform her as a leader on the field this year,” said Leah Tuck, the head coach for F-M girl’s lacrosse.

Now a senior for the F-M Hornets, she is back on the field and has tallied eleven points in their first two games

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, you know. I thought I was going to be nervous, but once I got out there, and had all my teammates around me supporting me, just everything felt natural, and just felt really good to be back there,” Cogliandro said.

JuJu is committed to continue her lacrosse career at Duke, but wherever she is, her positive energy will follow

“She’s such a hard worker, and I think you can see it when you watch her play, and she brings that same energy and effort as she does in the games to practice every day. And that’s the best thing to coach,” said Tuck.

Congratulations, Julianna! You are the Byrne Dairy & Deli NewsChannel 9 Student-Athlete of the Week.