The Maryville University men’s and women’s swimming teams participated in the national fundraiser Swim Across America Open.
The event was held in August at Lake Alpine at Innsbrook Resort in Wright City, Missouri. Nearly 500 participants were allowed to swim three different open-water distances, starting at a half-mile, increasing to 1.2 miles or the long distance of 2.4 miles.
The Saints were one of many St. Louis area schools that participated in the event, which raises money for immunotherapy clinical trials and research at Siteman Cancer Center. The Maryville swim team raised $1,680 this year and helped the Swim Across America St. Louis chapter raise more than $180,000 this campaign. The team members each donned a color representing the different types of cancer afflicting a loved one.
The event held special significance for Maryville Saint Hannah Schrag, whose mother passed away from cancer last year. “After losing my mother this past year, the swim community has wrapped their arms around me with support,” she said. “Like my mom did, my coach continues to encourage me to swim to be the best version of myself. I wanted to participate in the Swim Across America Open because it’s another opportunity to do my best, just as my mom did her best at everything she attempted.”