It all started for senior Ezra Bonilla in the sixth grade, when his mother made him do it for water safety.
Bonilla’s record this year: 200yd free: 2:05, 500yd free 5:40, and 100yd butterfly 1:01. The 500yd free 5:40 is so far his best record.
Bonilla, Bishop Noll’s star swimmer, has garnered attention throughout the school as Bishop Noll’s claim to fame for swimming.
Like any good athlete, Bonilla has his game day routine to get him in the groove of things. “I properly stretch, I have a good breakfast, I make sure that I am prepared not only physically but mentally. After a race I go do a cool down that is around 200 yds to get out all the lactic acid and I eat a protein bar and drink vitamin water and get ready for my next races.”
“Pre-race jitters are often unavoidable.” One of the things I do before my race is stop thinking because I know what I have done in practice will show in my races.”
We asked Bonilla what his predictions are for sectionals. “For me that is between me and the coaches but for the other two boys I predict they will do good in sectionals.”
“I don’t tell people my goals, but I will probably swim in college.” Said Bonilla when asked about his goals for the year and for his future swimming career.
“ It has crossed my mind [coaching for Bishop Noll], but I want to shoot for something higher, though it may be something on the side.”