Freshmen Ellie Lange, Delaney O’Toole Make Immediate Impact

It’s not often high school athletes make their mark in school history so early in their careers, but ninth-grade swimming standouts Ellie Lange and Delaney O’Toole have done just that.

Both Ellie and Delaney excelled at the WPIAL Class 3A championships, held February 26 and 27 at Trees Hall at the University of Pittsburgh. Ellie won gold in the 200 individual medley (IM), and Delaney placed first in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Both were also part of the 400 freestyle relay team that set a school record and won first place at WPIALs, as well as the first-place 200 medley relay team.

Their success continued at the PIAA Class 3A Swimming & Diving Championships at Bucknell University March 11 and 12. Ellie won gold in the 200 IM, and Delaney placed first in the 100 back. Each added a silver medal – Ellie in the 500 free and Delaney in the 50 free – and both were part of the 400 free relay that took second and set a team record at PIAAs. Delaney was also on the 200 free relay team that captured a bronze medal and also set a team record at states.

Coach Bailey Bonnett, herself a standout high school and college swimmer and an Olympic trials qualifier during her collegiate career, says the two athletes have a lot in common.

“Both Delaney and Ellie have such a gritty and racing mindset, and are very determined,” she says. “They believe in themselves, and they care a lot about the team. Every time they step on the block, they are ready to give everything they’ve got.”

Obviously, that mentality has produced tremendous results.

This season, Ellie made history in the 500 free, while Delaney set team records in the 100 backstroke and 50 and 100 free, breaking her own record in the 50 free at PIAAs. Both were part of the 400 free relay team that set a team record at PIAAs, and Delaney was part of the 200 free relay that notched a team record at states.

Ellie qualified for seven WPIAL championship individual events, while Delaney qualified six times. Both swimmers made the cut in the 200 free, 50 free, 100 butterfly, 100 free, and 500 free. Ellie also made the cut in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM, and Delaney qualified in the 100 back. Ellie and Delaney each swam four events at PIAAs, the maximum number allowed in the competition.

“I love the sport of swimming and want to be the best at it that I can be,” Ellie says. “I think the feeling of having a big drop or getting a cut is one of the best things in the world.”

Family Support Buoys Delaney O’Toole

Delaney entered high school with an already impressive résumé, including five top-10 national rankings in her age group.

She says one particular race stands out: breaking 23 seconds in the 50 free after a flat start. That record was formerly held by Foxes alumna Sarah Pasquella, who now swims for the University of Michigan.

“Knowing the caliber of Sarah and after swimming with her for years in club, it feels like a great accomplishment to be able to break her records,” Delaney says.

Delaney gives a lot of credit for her development to her older sister, Payton, a 2023 Fox Chapel Area graduate who now swims for Ashland University in Ohio.

“Payton has given me so much great advice in and out of the pool, not only in her words, but also her actions,” Delaney says of her sister. “She’s always been a great role model to me and many others.”

She also credits Ellie for motivating her in the pool.

“We have been racing next to each other for as long as I can remember, and it is always such good competition,” she says. “We always push each other to perform our best, especially because Ellie has great sportsmanship, no matter the race or outcome.”

Summer Swim Turns into Passion

for Ellie Lange

Ellie also has strong familial ties to the Fox Chapel Area swimming program. Her grandfather swam for the Foxes and was the 1965 WPIAL champion in the 50 free.

Although Ellie didn’t spend her earliest years in the Pittsburgh area, her family moved back to her mother’s hometown. Soon after moving back, she joined a local summer swim club to meet new friends. That decision helped shape her passion for the sport and her friendships with the people she now swims with on her high school team.

One of those early friendships was forged with Delaney.

“I have known Delaney for almost as long as I have been swimming,” she says. “She is an incredibly gifted swimmer, and it is fun to finally be on the same team after seeing each other at meets and competing against each other for so long.”

Ellie has also proven her own talent. As an eighth-grader, she earned her first junior national cut in the 1650 freestyle.

“I was shocked when I looked up at the board and saw my time because I was more focused on getting cuts in some other events,” she recalls.

This season, her focus remains on personal improvement. She says, “Ultimately, swimming is about beating yourself, and I definitely want to see how I have improved,” she says.

At the same time, she is thrilled with the supportive Foxes’ team environment and the collective positive energy.

“The atmosphere on this team has been amazing,” Ellie says. “The group has done a phenomenal job of welcoming me. I think there is incredibly strong leadership and coaching, making it a fun and supportive environment.”