‘Grit’: Ririe state champion Lucy Boone signs to run at Utah State

RIRIE – There was a time when Lucy Boone was focused on being a basketball player.

As a freshman, Boone would run to stay in shape. Coming from a family of runners, it seemed like the thing to do, even if the passion still came from playing on the court.

And that’s where Ririe track and cross country coach Pat Bragassa took notice.

Boone had been running competitively since sixth grade. Bragassa said she was more of a basketball player that happened to run, but he saw something more.

“She’s one that could win state,” Bragassa said. “We knew it was just a matter of time.”

Bragassa was there Monday night as Boone, now a senior, signed to run cross country and track at Utah State.

A 3A athlete signing with a Division I college program is not unheard of, but it definitely puts Boone on a short list.

While she still plays basketball, Boone has set the standard for running at Ririe, setting school records in the 5k for cross country and the 3,200 in track.

About Bragassa’s assessment that Boone had the potential to be a state champion?

After finishing second at the state cross country championships the past two seasons, Boone capped her senior season with a 3A state title this past fall, smashing her personal-best mark in a time of 18:05.3.

She also helped lead the Bulldogs to a team state title in 2024, and runner-up finishes the other three years.

“I love the running lifestyle,” Boone said.

Bragassa helped with the recruiting process, alerting college coaches to what Boone was accomplishing at the small school.

There was some interest, he said, but it was Utah State that reached out first.

Boone visited the campus in Logan. It turned out to be the only visit she needed.

Boone said she’s relieved and happy with finally signing and has bigger goals for the track season in the spring.

Boone has won two consecutive 3,200 state titles and has medaled in the 1,600 the past two seasons.

The Bulldogs earned a fourth-place team trophy at state this past season. It was the first team trophy for the program since the late 2000s, athletic director Matt Harris noted.

“It’s pretty tough,” Bragassa said of competing at the next level in college. “It takes a lot. You have to be durable, you have to be athletic, and then you have to have that desire. We’ve had kids that have a little bit of each of those, but she has it all and has for a long time … She’s very special. She has that tenacity.”

Bragassa said he could see the switch happen during Boone’s sophomore season when she became a serious runner who just happened to play basketball.

“She’s the toughest male or female I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “It’s not even close. She just has that grit.”