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There were no lofty expectations after the Boonton boys cross country team graduated eight of 10 runners.
Coach Bongo anticipated the Bombers would be rebuilding in the fall of 2017 yet the season was season was full of surprises.
The improvement in the team was tremendous as Boonton’s five-man team average was an impressive 19:31. Leading the way were the top three runners – senior Billy Clark and juniors Hunter Sagerer and Ray Ryerson. The trio alternated being the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 runners on the team with Sagerer and Ryerson breaking the 19-minute mark by the end of the season.
“It was one of the most satisfying seasons I’ve had in my career even though it didn’t show in the won-loss column,” Coach Bongo said. “It was a great group of guys and girls to work with. They gave it all they had. I look forward to working with them next year.”
Rounding out the boys varsity squad were senior Stefan Guerlain, juniors Frank Lefebvre, Andrew Portas and Robert Kraus, a newcomer. Sophomore Ethan Holley earned his first varsity letter as did freshman Ben Simnor.
The boys finished by placing 14th at the sectional meet at Garret Mountain.
On the girls side, senior Elli Joinson, the best female distance runner to come out of Boonton in 30 years, turned in another exceptional showing, garnering first team NJAC honors for the fourth year in a row. Joinson’s season, however, was cut short by health issues and she struggled at the sectionals.
Joinson, plagued by knee injuries for her entire high school career, persevered and ends her career with the all-time fastest Boonton girls time on the course at Tourne Park and owns four of the top 10 times ever run by a Boonton girl at Garret Mountain, including a time of 21:24.
“Elli had an amazing run and will be sorely missed,” Coach Bongo said. “You don’t get a distance runner like her very often.”
Coach Bongo has high hopes for Mackenzie Zuearcher, the most promising freshman girl he has had in three seasons. Zuearcher improved throughout the season, running especially well towards the end, and earned her first varsity letter.
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