Leonia Board honors undefeated boys and girls cross country teams; Coach Tim Ryan named Bergen County coach of the year

Leonia Board of Education on Monday recognized Leonia High School’s boys and girls cross country teams for historic seasons and presented head coach Tim Ryan with the Bergen County Cross Country Coach of the Year award.

Athletic Director Mr. Perrotta told the board both teams finished the regular season undefeated, won NJIC Colonial Division titles and each captured state sectional championships — the girls program’s first sectional title and the boys’ first since 1979. “This was the first sectional title in the history of the girls program and the first boys sectional title since 1979,” Perrotta said.

Head coach Tim Ryan, a 2012 Leonia graduate who has led the program for eight years, described the season as “absolutely incredible” and said he was “so proud of the hard work and the effort” from his athletes. Ryan highlighted individual honors: four athletes qualified for the state “Meet of Champions,” the most the program has ever sent, and multiple runners earned all-county recognition.

Ryan introduced each member of the championship squads and noted standout performances, including a state sectional champion on the boys’ side and several all-county selections. “We were undefeated. We won the league championship,” he said. The board praised Ryan’s coaching record (noted in the meeting as 137 wins and 20 losses) and his multiple coaching honors across Bergen County.

Board members paused the formal agenda for a 10-minute photo session so students, coaches and families could be recognized in the district’s public meeting.

The awards came early in the meeting; the board resumed business afterward and moved on to regular agenda items, including consent approvals and public comment.