By: Redd E. Patrick
Monroe High School boys track coach Frank Bonich is very passionate about his sports teams. He is a very avid fan of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Eagles, which is a strange combination whenever you mix those two cities. And when it comes to his own Falcons, they don’t come more hardcore than Bonich.
All season long, Bonich couldn’t wait for the dual-meet showdown with John F. Kennedy, the defending White Division champion of the Greater Middlesex Conference. A year ago, Monroe had lost to South Plainfield and Kennedy during the dual-meet circuit. This season, the Falcons opened the season with a victory over South Plainfield, so the only thing standing between them and a division crown was Kennedy.
The meet took place on Tuesday. Kennedy prevailed 81-59. Bonich was crushed.
"I thought we could have won," said Bonich. "I don’t think the score was indicative of how close the meet really was. We didn’t perform as well as we could have in certain areas, but Kennedy was the better team, so tip your cap."
One thing about Bonich. Even in defeat, he always looks for the positives.
""Hey, we have just about everyone back, so next year, we’ll be much better," said Bonich. "My kids really gave it their all, so there’s not more I could ask for."
More good news for the Falcons. In defeat, two school records were set as Zach Theinert ran 2:00.0 in the 800 meters, while Billy Phillips set the mark in the 200 with a time of 22.5
At the GMC Relays last week, Monroe finished 12th, but six school marks were set
* In the sprint medley, the team of Adam Modzelewski, Adan Farrah, Phillips and Theinert ran 3:38.0 to shatter the old mark by seven seconds.
* In the shot put, junior Ed Niedzielinski threw 44-4, sophomore Dan Santilla tossed it 43-11 and freshman Godfrey Blackman a 41-8 as this trio set a three-man mark of 129-11.
* In the 4×1600, the foursome of Scott Roman, Theinert, Ryan Brown and Nate Smith ran 19:19 to shatter the old mark by 15 seconds.
* In the 4×100, Monroe had set a school record at the Penn Relays this spring, but then lowered at the GMCs to 44.8 behind a team of Phillips, Farrah, Chris Garibaldi and Victor Amato.
* In the 4×200, Modzelewski, Farrah, Phillips and Amato ran 1:32 to set the mark with three seconds to spare.
* In the 4×400, Modzelewski, Mike Barszcz Phillips and Theinert ran 3:28 to set the new mark.
"Some of the times aren’t earth-shattering," said Bonich. "But we’re building a program here and this a good place to start. The kids keep gaining confidence. And with everyone coming back, look out for Monroe next year."
NOTES: The Monroe girls improved to 5-1 with an 85-55 victory over Kennedy on Tuesday. Sophomore sensation Nicole Ragucci was sensational again, winning the 100 in 12.8, the 800 in 2:44, the long jump at 14-5 and the pole vault at 8-6. Christina Leilli swept the shot (29-6) and discus (99-11) events. The Falcons will be in action Saturday at the GMC Individual Championships at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield.

