Boys' Sports
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For: September 09, 2010
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Bonasso ends prep career on high
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BYNICK CAMMUSO TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN
MORGANTOWN — Upon first mention of his boys’ team captain, Steve Sandor can’t help but flash a wide smile.
And once he begins talking about Andrew Bonasso, Sandor, the veteran Polar Bear swimming coach, can’t avoid speaking in superlatives.
“He’s one of the three greatest Polar Bear swimmers.”
“He’s the last great swimmer of the Polar Bear golden era.”
“He’s just a great all-round kid.”
Not to mention a great finisher.
Bonasso closed a stellar prep swim career on Friday’s final day of the Class AAA meet at the West Virginia University Natatorium and did so in winning fashion, earning a pair of fourth-place finishes in the 50 and 100 freestyle. He also ran legs on two FSHS relay teams that managed to place.
But for all that success, he had perhaps his best moment in Thursday’s preliminaries, setting a school record in the 100 free with a time of 49.31.
Along the way, Bonasso became the second swimmer in school history — 2009 graduate Jonathan Turner was the other — to place in each state event he entered, in this case a perfect eight for eight.
While his finish was strong, his senior swim year didn’t get off to an ideal start after an illness slowed his offseason training regimen.
Once able to get back to track, he rounded into form by intensifying his workouts. The Fairmont Senior coaching staff also made some adjustments, moving him down to shorter races.
“He kind of started out in the 500 and the 200, but now he’s come down to the 100 and the 50 and he’s just been remarkable,” Sandor said.
Bonasso has also developed into a team leader as captain, to the point of Sandor comparing him to that of a father figure for the team’s younger swimmers.
“Andrew’s been the captain, but he’s been more like the father to these younger boys. The fact that he’s Catholic makes it even better,” he laughed. “They’re the closestknit group we’ve ever had.”
That closeness comes from several factors, perhaps the most prevalent being the Polar Bears’ small roster. Once much larger, Fairmont Senior’s current boys’ team boasts only eight swimmers, five of which took part in this week’s state meet.
“It’s interesting,” Bonasso said. “We necessarily haven’t been at the top of our game, but we have the closest team relationship I’ve even been a part of.
“We’ve gone through a lot together and we just click. I love the fact we’ve gotten so close.”
And just because Bonasso packed up his suit and goggles one at last time doesn’t mean the legacy of Polar Bear boys’ swimming is done. Sandor believes his captain is merely passing the torch — through his talent, leadership and everything in between.
“I never imagined being part of the dynasty and now as the senior I’m the last of the legacy,” Bonasso said. “I’m the last person to be involved with it. I’d like to help keep it alive.”
If nothing else, he’s certainly done his part.
WFHS TV NEWS thanks the Times West Virginian for the collaborative partnership since 1999.
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