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University of Illinois Athletics

2023-24 Swimming & Diving Roster

Cara Bognar

  • Class Senior
  • Hometown Greenville, S.C.
  • Major Bioengineering
  • High School Eastside
  • Instagram cara.bognar

Biography

NIL Opportunities

2023-24

  • Swam a season-best 200 butterfly (2:03.28) against Nebraska
  • Placed third in the 200 butterfly (2:05.48) against Iowa
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2022-23

  • Recorded the program's fourth fastest 400 IM (4:16.86) and 200 butterfly (2:00.54) at the Hawkeye Invitational
  • Swam the program's fifth fastest 1650 freestyle (16:46.91) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship
  • Clocked the school's fifth fastest 1000 freestyle (10:06.15) at Nebraska
  • Part of the school's seventh fastest 800 freestyle relay (7:19.86) at the Big Ten Championships
  • Third on the team in points scored at the Big Ten Championships with 10
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2021-22

  • Made the B-cut for the 400 IM at the Big Ten Championships
  • Earned 9 first place finishes throughout the season with 3 in the 500 freestyle, 2 in the 1000 freestyle, 2 in the 200 butterfly, and one in the 100 IM and 400 IM
  • Clocked a lifetime best in the 200 IM (2:06.20) at SIU
  • Swam a lifetime-best 59.57 in the 100 IM at Vanderbilt
  • Had a lifetime best performance in the 400 IM (4:18.37) at the House of Champions Invite
  • Clocked lifetime bests in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.68) and 1650 freestyle (16.57.49) at the Big Ten Championships
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2020-21

  • Made her first appearance as an Illini on 1/16 versus Purdue
  • Placed first in two appearances in the 200M butterfly (2:02.32 ) versus Wisconsin/Northwestern, 2:02.56 versus Purdue)
  • Swam a personal best in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:51.39 versus Wisconsin and Northwestern
  • Clocked four personal bests at the Big Ten Championships, the 100 Freestyle (52.35), 500 Freestyle (4:52.36), the 200 Butterfly (2:00:57) and the 400 IM (4:18.70)

High School

  • Attended Eastside High School
  • Finished in first in the 500 freestyle and in second in the 200 individual medley at the 2019 SCHSL 4A State Championships 
  • Named co-4A Swimmer of the Year in 2018
  • A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American in 2018
  • Four year varsity letterwinner

Personal

  • Born December 5, 2001
  • Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
  • Majoring in Bioengineering
  • Parents are Istvan and Kim Bognar
  • Has three brothers, Nils, Rowan, and Cael, and one sister, Lilla
  • Chose Illinois because of "the world class engineering programs combined with the welcoming and supportive nature of the team and coaches."

Historical Player Information

  • 2020-21Freshman

    Fly/IM
  • 2021-22Sophomore

    Fly/IM
  • 2022-23Junior

    Free/Fly/IM
  • 2023-24Senior

    Free/Fly/IM