The University of Idaho swim and dive team participated in Swim Across America on Sept. 10 at Lake Washington. The event – a fundraiser for cancer research, awareness and treatment, consisted of a two-mile open water swim.
 
The Vandals raised $3,750 to go to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  With all teams combined, the event raised more than $515,000.
 
 "This event this year was truly extraordinary with close to 400 participants," Idaho coach Mark Sowa said. "We talked to our team about using their athletic talents to give something back and help fight a disease that will impact us all at some point in our lives. I was so proud of their commitment to this cause and their enthusiasm for the swim. We had the added benefit of getting to race in an environment out of their usual comfort zone of the pool. Overall the day was a tremendous success."
 
Five Vandals finished in the overall top 10 of the female division. The top finisher for the Vandals was Sakaiya McCoy, a freshman who cruised into third. Other swimmers who finished in the top 10were Erica King, a sophomore finishing fourth, sophomore Clothilde Peseux finishing fifth, sophomore Aileen Pannecoucke in sixth, and junior Delaney Boulo finishing ninth.
 
The Vandals are back in the pool for the Black and Gold Intrasquad meet Oct. 14-15.