Some 50 Alumni Celebrate Jon Stableford’s Final Home Meet

Wraps 20-year run with double victory

November 13, 2009 —Nearly 50 alumni, some from as far away as the West Coast, traveled to Andover on Saturday, Nov. 7, to celebrate cross country coach Jonathan Stableford ’63’s final home meet. Stableford, who will retire this spring to Vermont after 30 years as an English instructor, capped his 20th season as boys’ cross country coach with a dual victory over Exeter (varsity 23–34; junior varsity 27–28).  Stableford, who The Eagle-Tribune called “one of the most successful coaches in the region,” has never had a losing season.

In addition to dozens of his former runners, school dignitaries, parents, friends, and family gathered on the Great Lawn steps after the meet to honor “Coach,” presenting him with a team vest.  Jeff Domina, Stableford’s assistant coach and English department colleague, spoke of the 64-year-old’s passion for running and the highlights of his 20 seasons of cross-country, including five varsity and eight junior varsity Interschol championships and first place finishes in all but one of the last 10 Canterbury Invitationals.