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Bella Fontana, an Illinois high school state finalist, has verbally committed to compete for Bowling Green State University in Ohio beginning in the fall of 2026.
“I am so thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Bowling Green State University! I would like to thank my coaches for their guidance, my parents and family for their love and support, and Coach Tanner and Coach Ian for this incredible opportunity! I can’t wait to be a Falcon! Ay Ziggy!!!”
The Illinois native recently started her senior year at Crystal Lake South High School, where she has been a member of the girls varsity swimming team all four years. Fontana currently trains year-round with Academy Bullets Swim Club, primarily specializing in freestyle and backstroke.
Fontana has competed at the Illinois High School Association state championships three years in a row, beginning her freshman year. Her highest-ranking individual performance came at the 2025 IHSA Girls State Championship, where she placed 16th in the 200 free (1:53.84). At the same meet, Fontana also finished 21st in the 100 free (52.25) and raced on her team’s 200 free relay and 400 free relay.
A few weeks later, Fontana turned in a series of strong performances at the OLY Winter Invite in Michigan. She posted personal best times in the 100 back (59.32) and 100 fly (1:00.95). She also turned in a season-best time in both the 50 free (24.84) and 500 free (5:15.05).
Fontana posted time drops in a handful of different events over the course of last season. At the Illinois Senior Championships, she turned in personal best times in the 1000 free (10:39.85) and the 200 IM (2:12.25), while the NCSA Spring Championship in March saw Fontana clock a new lifetime best in the 100 back (58.82).
Best Times SCY
- 100 free – 51.82
- 200 free – 1:51.99
- 500 free – 5:07.70
- 1000 free – 10:39.85
- 100 back – 58.82
A Division I Mid-Major program, Bowling Green competes in the Mid-American Conference, with the Falcons placing 6th overall at the 2025 Mid-American Championships. To earn a second swim at last season’s championship, it took times of 51.16/1:51.26/5:02.33 in the 100/200/500 free and 55.48 in the 100 back, putting Fontana just outside the cutoff in some of her top events. On the team itself, Fontana is poised to rank 2nd in the 100 free and 3rd in the 200 free.
Both of Fontana’s parents were also collegiate athletes, although not swimmers. When commenting on why she decided to swim for Bowling Green, Fontana said: “I chose BGSU because I absolutely adored the campus, I knew I was going to be able to excel in the classroom, and I felt right at home with the coaches, athletic staff, and my future teammates!”
Joining Fontana in Bowling Green next fall are Anna Helmuth, Emma Klotz, Kaitlin Flewelling, Regan Bright, Katie Countryman, Allison Stinnett and Kylie Thompson, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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Those are amazing times faster than any high school I had. Why is it news?