Senior Bella DiMatteo joined the Riverside Brookfield High School girls track-and-field team in 2025 for more than just running.
“I run 300 (meter) and 100 hurdles. Just flat running never drew me in as much,” DiMatteo said. “Running over obstacles felt like an achievable skill I wanted to learn. I love the technicality of hurdles and the concept that you’re not just fighting yourself but also driving through the hurdles.”
DiMatteo was among 15 girls and 19 boys honored on Senior Day before the Bulldogs’ April 28 dual with Elmwood Park. The meet was rescheduled from the previous day.
“Senior Night was exciting because we got to participate in events that usually we don’t get to,” said RBHS boys senior Quinn Hendricks, a four-year team member with three seasons on varsity. “I’ve had a lot of role models throughout the years. It makes me want to be someone to look up to for all the underclassmen.”
Other senior boys honored were Joey Alberts, Angelo Cardenas, Zachary Conrad, Clayton Dosek, Nathan Dransoff, August Favarula, Jayden Karas, Ryan Kendall, Joseph Klinhom, Connor Kolodziejski, Isaac Lee, Nick O’Connor, Emmitt Olson, Michael Rafael, Cooper Sahlas, Keenan Walton, Kaiser Zabek and Kevin Zuniga.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Emmitt Olson leads off in the 4×800 relay during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s August Favarula competes in the triple jump during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Levi Huffman competes in the 4×800 relay during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
The other senior girls are Emma Acamovic, Alekse Alijosius, Bella DiMatteo, Rachel Dosek, Rebecca Dosek, Carley Freeman, Kira Hanson, Emma Hlavaty, Mariella Hutar, Clara Jordan, Soleil Kaciuba, Sophia Maietta, Mykah Matheny, Savanna Murillo, Hannah Richter, Claire Shadduck and Addie Vaia.
The three Doseks among the two teams are triplets.
With his 400 skill, Hendricks reached the 2024 Class 3A state meet as an alternate for the 4 x 400 relay. He also usually runs 800s and with the 4 x 800 relay.
“I like doing those events because I get to run with my close friends and I know that we are all motivated to give our best every time we go out on the track,” said Hendricks, who will attend Illinois.
“My greatest moments were going to state sophomore year and getting to experience the meet. Other good moments I’ve had include being the last leg of the 4 x 400 and being in a high-intensity environment where the team is relying on me to win.”
Riverside-Brookfield’s Sophia Maietta competes in the triple jump during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
RBHS’s Kira Hanson hands the baton off to Addie Vaia while running the 4×400 meter relay during the Riverside/Brookfield Track Invite in 2025. (Erica Benson) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Rebecca Dosek takes the baton from Elizabeth Moran during the 4×800 relay during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Rebecca Dosek is greeting by her teammates, Elizabeth Moran, Natalie Moran & Adeline Vaia, after they won the 4×800 relay during the Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
After a previous-best 54.86 for the 300 low hurdles at the 2025 sectional, DeMatteo began this season with a converted 52.44, April 8, and broke 52 seconds (51.98) for fourth at the Leyden Invite, April 15.
“On my first 300 of the season I (got a personal record) by five seconds it’s really made all my work worth it. Also (I like) seeing our varsity performing so much better this season,” DeMatteo said.
For the 100 hurdles, DeMatteo also was fourth at the Oak Forest Invite (18.84) and has run a converted 18.44. Rebecca Dosek, Vaia, Elizabeth Moran and Natalie Moran won that invite’s 4 x 800 (10:19.99). Other recent invite champions were Rebecca Dosek (800 in 2:24.10) at the Leyden Invite and Natalie Moran (3,200 in 12:07.54) at Sandburg’s Eagle Classic April 23.
Also a two-year cross country runner, DeMatteo will attend Illinois Wesleyan on a pre-med track.
“Senior Night was really special. I never imagined they would go so far and plan so much for us,” DeMatteo said. “Track has been a lot more emotional for me than any other sport I have played and seeing the possibility of it ending soon makes me really sad.”
At the boys Leyden Invite, April 16, Hendricks, Olson, Dosek and junior Bryson Reum won the 4 x 400 (3:42.88) and 2,800-meter distance medley relay (7:41.79) and Karas won the 100 (11.30).
At the Hinsdale Central Invitational April 23, the 4 x 400 (3:40.29) and 4 x 800 (8:37.06) were third and Karas was fourth (200 in 23.71).
The girls compete at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet on Thursday, May 7, in Elgin followed by the Class 3A St. Ignatius Sectional May 13.
LTHS girls track
Lyons Township plays host to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division championships on Friday, May 8. Discus and shot put will be contested May 7 at Downers Grove North.
At Wheaton Warrenville South’s Tiger Invite Friday, sophomore Bianca Taylor won long jump (5.44 meters/17 feet-10 1/4 inches) with an outdoor best. Junior Lucy Laux was second in the 400 (1:00.82).
The Lions compete at the 3A Shepard Sectional May 13.
