Burlington High School, Catholic Central High School, Union Grove High School, Waterford High School

Burlington swimmers honor teammate’s late father

by Ed Nadolski Views:

Union Grove’s Bennett passed away after 4-year battle with cancer

Patty Bennett and son Lucas, a member of the Bur-lington swim team, are honored by teammates Tues-day night with the initials “JB,” in honor of Lucas’ father John Bennett, who succumbed to his four-year battle with cancer in November. (Mike Ramczyk/SLN)

 

By Mike Ramczyk

[email protected]

And Chris Bennett

Sports Correspondent

Union Grove senior Lucas Bennett needed only three words when asked about his father John, who succumbed to cancer after a four-year battle in November.

“He’s right here,” said Lucas, pointing to his left shoulder.

For Parent’s Night Tuesday at the Aurora Wellness Center, the Burlington Co-op boys swim team honored John Bennett.

Lucas wore “DAD” in Sharpie marker across his back, while his teammates wore the initials “JB” on their backs.

Before the meet against Delavan-Darien, each athlete was given a rose to give his parents, and when it was Luke and his mother Patty’s turn, teammates surrounded the two with a large embrace as photographers and parents took photos.

“Lucas’ dad had cancer for the last four years, and battled it relentlessly,” said Lucas’ friend and teammate Jacob Genal. “He was an extremely nice man, loved by everybody who knew him. Despite the tragedy of his father’s death, Lucas has continued to work hard for the team and come to practice every day.”

Burlington knocked off Delavan-Darien to win the meet, 106-64.

 

Boys sixth in Platteville

On the strength of top-five performances from Bailey Bleser and Jimmy Keeker the Burlington Co-op boys high school swimming team finished sixth Jan. 21 in the Hillmen Invite at UW-Platteville.

BC competes Saturday in an invitational at Case High School in Racine. BC is comprised of students from Burlington, Waterford, Union Grove, Catholic Central and East Troy high schools.

Bleser finished third in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:05.01 and third in the 500 freestyle (5:15.99) for the Demons’ best individual event finishes.

Keeker finished fourth in the 100-yard individual medley in 1:01.46.

Bleser, Zach Olstinske, Keeker and Sam Burazin finished fifth in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:51.80 and Bleser, Burazin, Keeker and EJ Wright finished seventh in the 400 freestyle relay (3:46.93).

Keeker finished seventh in the 100 butterfly (1:01.97) and Burazin finished eighth in the 50 freestyle (25.20).

The Demons Olstinske, Zach Lipecki, Wright and Justin Koeberl finished 10th in the 200 freestyle relay (1:47.00).

 

Burlington 106, Delavan-Darien 64

Winners

200 medley relay: Bleser, Brannen, Keeker, Burazin, BUR, 1:51.97. 200 freestyle: Bleser, 2:01.09. 200 IM: Lopez, DD, 2:17.19. 50 freestyle: Burazin, 25.12. 100 butterfly: Keeker, 1:02.39. 100 freestyle: Weerts, 58.09. 500 freestyle: Ivans, DD, 5:46.26. 200 freestyle relay: Olstinske, Genal, Wright, Brannen, 1:45.64. 100 backstroke: Burazin, 1:04.39. 100 breaststroke: Bleser, 1:08.88. 400 free relay: Bleser, Brannen, Burazin, Keeker, 3:47.16.

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