Athlete of the Week: Laura Boniello

By Shannon Duff

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Laura Boniello

As Laura Boniello, SM '99, crossed the finish line of the 100-meter hurdle race in a track meet against Harvard on Sat., Apr. 18, where the Bulldogs eventually fell 75-70, all she needed to know was that she finished first.

"The team needed the points, and I knew I needed to win," she said. Moments later, Boniello discovered that her winning time of 14.54 seconds was a new school record. She was the fastest fem-ale Yalie ever. Boniello's mark was not the only school record set that day--the 4x100 meter relay team made history as well.

"The record was something I've known was within my reach on a day where conditions were right," Boniello said, "but I wasn't concerned nearly as much with my time as I was with running the race I needed to run."

The junior's stellar day continued as she won her other individual event, the 400-meter hurdle race. Though the two hurdle events require different training and mental preparation, Boniello excels at both.

"The 400 hurdle race is a more satisfying event for me--there's a lot more to think about and to prepare for," she said. "I think through the different segments of the race again and again. In the 100 hurdles, I just focus intently on the straightaway ahead of me so that all I can see are the hurdles--and then I just count on my adrenaline and training to take over."

Teammate and fellow hurdler Kendra Mack, MC '01, shed light on how Boniello reconciles the two hurdle races: "It helps a lot to have the quickness that comes from the 100 in the 400 race. Boniello's natural speed makes her a great 100 hurdler, and helps her in the 400 as well. But her dedication and focus are what complete her as a 400 hurdler."

Boniello's success as an athlete at Yale is a testament to her enduring patience and her ability to see the larger picture. After some outstanding performances early in her freshman year, a series of stress fractures sidelined her for the rest of the season.

The rehabilitation process during her sophomore campaign required Boniello and her coaches, David Shoehalter and Mark Young, ES '68, to exercise caution in order to ensure her future success on the track.

"My coaches were great last year, realizing that I needed to slowly build back up to my normal training. They saw a four-year picture even when I couldn't," Boniello reflected.

Boniello, a sociology major, describes herself as someone who likes things to be meticulously planned out. No matter how carefully she planned her athletic career, probably didn't expect this much success.

--Shannon Duff

Back to Sports...