News Summary

Bella Fontana, a senior swimmer from Crystal Lake, has announced her commitment to join the Bowling Green State University swimming team in the fall of 2026. Known for her skills in freestyle and backstroke, Bella has achieved notable success in competitions, including state finals and setting personal bests in various events. With strong support from her family and coaches, she looks forward to making a positive impact in the collegiate swimming arena.

Exciting News from Crystal Lake: Bella Fontana is Headed to BGSU!

Big things are happening in the town of Crystal Lake as local high school swimmer Bella Fontana proudly announces her verbal commitment to join the swimming team at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) starting in the fall of 2026. It’s an exciting time for this young athlete as she prepares to take the next big step in her swimming career!

A Passion for Swimming

Bella is currently a senior at Crystal Lake South High School and has been a dedicated member of the varsity swimming team throughout all four years of her high school journey. Over the years, she has shown immense talent, particularly in freestyle and backstroke, earning her a spot as a state finalist in Illinois.

Her achievements have not gone unnoticed. Bella has been competing at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state championships for three consecutive years. In 2025, she made quite an impression at the state championship by finishing 16th in the 200 freestyle with an impressive time of 1:53.84.

Record-Breaking Performances

But that’s not all! Bella also showcased her skills in the 100 freestyle, finishing 21st with a time of 52.25, and contributed to her team’s success in the 200 free and 400 free relays. Not one to rest on her laurels, Bella continued to push herself at various competitions, including the OLY Winter Invite, where she set personal bests in events such as the 100 backstroke with a time of 59.32 and the 100 butterfly in 1:00.95.

Her determination really shone through at the Illinois Senior Championships, where she not only achieved personal best times but also made waves with her performances in the 1000 free at 10:39.85 and the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:12.25. Most recently, at the NCSA Spring Championship, she reached a new milestone with a lifetime best in the 100 back, clocking in at 58.82.

BGSU: A Perfect Fit

As Bella prepares to swim with the Bowling Green Falcons, she’s poised to make a significant impact, expected to rank 2nd in the 100 free and 3rd in the 200 free on her new team. BGSU is known for its competitive swimming program in the Mid-American Conference, with the Falcons securing 6th overall at the 2025 Mid-American Championships. Bella will be joining fellow future teammates such as Anna Helmuth, Emma Klotz, Kaitlin Flewelling, Regan Bright, Katie Countryman, Allison Stinnett, and Kylie Thompson.

A Supportive Journey

The support from Bella’s coaches and family has been instrumental in her journey, and she takes a moment to express her gratitude for their unwavering encouragement throughout her swimming career. Her parents, both former collegiate athletes (though not swimmers), have undoubtedly played a role in fueling her ambition and dedication to the sport.

As Bella looks ahead to her new chapter at Bowling Green State University, she is enthusiastic about the campus atmosphere, academic opportunities, and the sense of community she feels with her future coaches and teammates. The swim world is watching closely, and it’s clear that Bella Fontana is set to make some serious waves in the years to come!

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