Bonnies Cross Country / Track Spring Newsletter

5/28/2026 10:00:00 AM

Dear Bonnies Track and Cross Country Alumni,

As we close out another outdoor track season at St. Bonaventure University, we want to sincerely thank you for the support, pride, and tradition you continue to bring to this program. Bonnies Track and Cross Country is about far more than times and results — it’s about the people, the shared experiences, and yes, the occasional long bus ride wondering what we signed up for.

This season featured strong performances, personal bests, and steady growth across the board. Our student-athletes competed with toughness and resilience both on the track and in the classroom, continuing the culture of commitment that defines this program.

A major highlight was the introduction of our first-ever 100m and 100m hurdles events, adding new energy and opportunity to the sprint and hurdle group and marking another step forward in the program’s evolution.

We are also proud of how far this program has come since its beginnings in 2017. In a relatively short time, Bonnies Track has grown into a competitive, well-rounded program with a strong culture, expanding event groups, and a clear upward trajectory.

As we look ahead, we will graduate 19 seniors who have made a lasting impact, while welcoming a strong incoming class of 29 student-athletes ready to carry the program forward.

Now as summer arrives, we hope everyone takes time to rest, recover, and enjoy a break before preparations quietly begin again for the fall season. Before long, we’ll be back together building toward another year of competition and growth.

Thank you again for your continued belief in our student-athletes and for being an important part of the Bonnies Track and Cross Country family.

Best in Running with the Brown and White,

Head Coach Robert Macfarlane
rmacfarl@sbu.edu | 716-790-9821

Associate Head Coach Sarah Lonzi
slonzi@sbu.edu | 716-790-9852

Sprint and Hurdle Coach Matt Walter
mwalter@sbu.edu | 814-558-8694

Thank you for your support of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track Team!

& Give us a follow on social media - Go Bonnies!

Bonnies men's and women's Outdoor Track Spring 2026

Meet our Analytics Student Assistant, Sam Weilert

St. Bonaventure University student Samuel Weilert, from Rochester, is a Finance major with a minor in Sports Management and plans to graduate in Fall 2027. Samuel chose Bonas because it was close enough to home while still offering the opportunity to meet new people, along with the chance to be involved with Division I athletics. He also fell in love with the school’s charming small-campus atmosphere during his first visit. As part of his work with the Track and Cross Country programs, Samuel enters meet times into a comprehensive spreadsheet to track personal records and school records, while also analyzing how much each athlete improves throughout the season. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in sports analytics, making his experience working with St. Bonaventure Track and XC especially valuable.

Bonnies in the Community

Our Bonnies have been hard at work not only in the classroom and in their athletics but also in the community! In the 2025-2026 academic year, our team has attained 1,689 volunteer hours!

Check out a few places our Bonnies have volunteered during their time this year:

Silver Wolves – Eden Heights Senior Home
SBU Warming House
SBU Open House
Cattaraugus County SPCA
Crisis Text Line Support
Salvation Army Kettlebell Ringing
SBU MERT
Women in Sports Day
Special Olympics
University Ministry
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services
Bradford Mobile Food Pantry

Bonnies Academic Success

Click to check out our updated record book through the outdoor season!

Supporting the Future of Bonnies Track & Field & Cross Country

The continued growth of our program would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters. During Bona Giving Day this past April, our Track and Cross Country family raised a combined total of more than $28,000 in support of our student-athletes and program initiatives. In addition, donors contributed more than $19,000 toward our new locker room project, helping create an improved experience for both current and future Bonnies.

As our roster continues to grow and our student-athletes continue striving for excellence, your support plays a direct role in providing young adults with opportunities for development, growth, leadership, and the pursuit of their goals and passions. Every contribution, whether through donations, mentorship, encouragement, or advocacy, helps us continue building an environment where our student-athletes can thrive both athletically and personally.

We encourage you to continue supporting the Bonnies Track and Cross Country throughout the year as we work together to invest in the future of our program and the lives of our student-athletes.

Looking to help our program’s growth? Please consider a donation by clicking the button below or Venmo @bonasgiving and designating your giving to the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams. Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT BONNIES XC/TRACK

If you have any exciting Alumni news you’d like us to share in our next newsletter, please email Coach Lonzi at slonzi@sbu.edu

Congratulations to our Senior Class!

2025-2026 Bonnies Athletic Award Winners

The Letterwinner Award is presented every year to one male and female student-athlete who have assembled outstanding records of athletic accomplishments over their careers and have proven to be instrumental to their team's success. The Male Letterwinner this year is the most decorated student-athlete in his program's history, capping off his career with a senior season for the record books. He won three meets, mostly in dominating fashion, and set a new school record in all but one meet this year. He finished off the fall season by becoming the first Atlantic 10 All-Conference honoree in program history. He graduates owning the school record in every distance in the cross country record book – 5K, 8K and 10K – while also standing atop the program leaderboard in the outdoor track 3K and 5K as well as the indoor 3K. The 2026 recipient of the Male Letterwinner Award is Clay Peets.

The Brian Moretti Service Award is presented to a senior for outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to the Department of Athletics. This is the only award tonight that can be presented to an athlete or a non-athlete. This award is given in memory of Assistant Sports Information Director, Brian Moretti, who passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2014. Brian left an unforgettable impression through his work ethic, enthusiasm, and love of his craft. This year's winner has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service throughout his time at St. Bonaventure. From the moment he arrived on campus, he became actively involved, joining multiple organizations and quickly making his pride and work ethic known. He has contributed to a wide range of groups and initiatives, including his work with MERT, where he dedicated long hours—often in between classes and practices—to ensure the safety and well-being of his fellow students. His commitment to helping others has been both consistent and impactful. He has also been a leader within Team Bona's, regularly attending athletic events and playing an important role in creating a safe, fun, and memorable environment for both students and members of the community. In addition, he has volunteered at numerous campus events, including Special Olympics, and has remained deeply connected to his team even when not competing. Whether assisting with media or capturing photos at meets, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure his teammates received the recognition they deserved across social media and athletics platforms. His dedication to service, his willingness to step up wherever needed, and his passion for helping others have been evident every step of the way. His impact has not gone unnoticed, and he truly exemplifies what it means to "Be a Bonnie." This year's recipient is Tyler Schott.