After being named a Division I All-American for the third consecutive year, Highlands graduate Bailey Bonnett is looking forward to her final season on the Kentucky women’s swimming team.

“My goals are to be the best captain I can be,” said Bonnett, 21, a rising senior. “I want to help my team the most I can, and win (an) SEC championship together.

“This has been a goal my team has had for a while.”

Bonnett achieved NCAA B cuts in three events at the SEC championship meet in February. She placed third in the 200-yard breaststroke (2 minutes, 7.92 seconds), seventh in the 200 individual medley (1:57.46) and third in the 400 individual medley (4:05.62).

Her preliminary time in the 200 individual medley (1:56.68) also was a B standard.

She was a member of the 400 medley relay team, which achieved an A cut (3:29.69) and finished third.

She helped the Wildcats finish third.

The NCAA championship was canceled because of the coronavirus, so relays that achieved A standards and individuals who were selected were named All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

Bonnett, an elementary education major, also was named to the association’s scholar All-America first team for maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or higher and being invited to the NCAA championship.

In addition, she earned Kentucky’s Captain’s Award for her high character and leadership skills and the booster club award for her ability to come through for the team.

Bonnett, an eight-time WPIAL Class AA champion and four-time PIAA champion in the 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke and 500 freestyle, has qualified for next June’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials in four events.

“My hopes are to get best times and enjoy the experience with my teammates,” she said. “I have been keeping in shape by trying to keep myself in a schedule of what we would normally be doing.

“I’ve been enjoying this extra time with my family and using this as a mental break to be more prepared for the upcoming season.”

In 2018 and ‘19, Bonnett made first-team All-America after placing fifth in the 200 breaststroke in the NCAA championships. She made honorable mention All-America as part of the 400 medley relay teams.

“Bailey has a chance to do some special things for her senior year,” Wildcat coach Lars Jorgensen said. “She has had an incredible career, but there are a few things left she has not done, both from an individual and team perspective.

“I would love to see her take the next step.”

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