Cross country captain hopes for happy ending to running career

As a cross country co-captain and track and field runner, Gallatin senior Kevin Bonilla is used to running on pre-determined paths.

But he is also no stranger to making his own path. Concentrating on entrepreneurship in marketing through emerging media technologies, this Florida native initially chose NYU because he was looking to move to the northeast.

Although he considered schools in Boston, Philadelphia and New York, he eventually decided on the purple and white.

“You can’t beat New York,” Bonilla said.

At NYU, he has developed a close relationship with his teammates and alumni from the cross country team. In addition to practicing and competing at meets, the members bond with team dinners at the beginning of the year and invite alumni to help mentor the younger athletes.

This year, Bonilla hopes to match his freshman year when the team won its division, the University Athletic Association. He said the victory is his favorite moment as a runner since coming to NYU.

“It was nice to, as a freshman, be a part of the experience … to continue NYU’s legacy in the conference,” Bonilla said.

To win the UAA this year, Bonilla and his teammates will first compete against conference rival Washington University.

As a captain, he hopes his team will place in the top two at the regional competition and compete for the top five at nationals. Individually, he aspires to finish in the top 10 at regionals and to ensure that everyone is running together and pursuing team goals. He added that he hopes to finish strong in what will most likely be his last year of competitive
running.

When asked about some traits that describe good cross country runners, Bonilla used words like perseverance and discipline. He thinks these characteristics also apply to college students who choose not to pursue athletic careers.

Bonilla will be happy ending his cross country career at NYU, and he hopes to pursue a career in marketing when he graduates.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Sept. 12 print edition. Sebastien van Heyningen is a deputy sports editor. Email him at svanheyningen@nyunews.com.