Downers Grove North Boys Swim and Dive Team Places Sixth in Sectionals

Submitted by Kim Costello

Photo 1: The DGN Sectional Swimmers (L to R): Jack Costello, Jaden Ryden, Bob Bonanno, Ben Ellstrom, Jack Toner, Matt Benge, Joe Pitelka, Sean Lyons, and Hugo Martinez.

Photo 2: DGN senior Bob Bonanno placed sixth in the 50 yard freestyle and 5th in the 100 yard freestyle, qualifying for the IHSA State Finals in both events.

The Downers Grove North Boys Swim and Dive Team placed sixth of 13 teams in the IHSA York Sectional meet on February 21 at York Community High School. Lyons Township took home the first place trophy.

DGN senior Bob Bonanno qualified for the IHSA State Final in both the 50 and 100 Yard Freestyle events, placing sixth and fifth respectively. The team of Matt Benge, Joe Pitelka, Jack Toner and Ben Ellstrom placed fifth in the 200 Yard Free Relay. DGN placed sixth in the 200 Yard Medley Relay with a time of 1:42.51 from Hugo Martinez, Jack Costello, Matt Benge and Bob Bonanno. DGN freshman Lukas Elisha placed seventh in the 1 Meter Diving competition, setting a new fresh/soph school record with a score of 384.00 in 11 dives. Sophomore Adan Calleja placed ninth in Diving.

The IHSA State Final will be held this weekend, Feb. 27 and 28 at New Trier High School in Winnetka.

Highlights for Downers Grove North included:

1 Meter Diving
7th place - Lukas Elisha 384.00 (fresh/soph school record)
9th place - Adan Calleja 369.65

50 Yard Freestyle
6th place - Bob Bonanno 21.77 (state qualifying time)

100 Yard Freestyle
5th place - Bob Bonanno 47.43 (state qualifying time)

200 Yard Freestyle
12th place - Ben Ellstrom 1:50.14

100 Yard Backstroke
8th place - Ben Ellstrom 56.59 (fresh/soph school record)
10th place - Hugo Martinez 58.11

100 Breaststroke
12th place - Jack Costello 1:04.01

100 Yard Butterfly
9th place - Matt Benge 56.18
10th place - Hugo Martinez 56.52

200 Yard IM
11th place - Matt Benge 2:09.69

200 Yard Freestyle Relay
5th place - Matt Benge, Joe Pitelka, Jack Toner, Ben Ellstrom 1:33.82

400 Yard Freestyle Relay
7th place - Hugo Martinez, Sean Lyons, Ben Ellstrom, Bob Bonanno 3:23.98

200 Yard Medley Relay
6th place - Hugo Martinez, Jack Costello, Matt Benge, Bob Bonanno 1:42.51