Exciting Finishes Mark Swim Marathon's 20th Anniversary
The top three relay teams finished within nine minutes of each other Saturday, creating one of the most exciting finishes in the 20 years of St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound Marathon.

Westport Lane 3 led most of the race to edge Team Pride and the Fair Diego Athletic Club with a time of 4:47:26 in the 15-mile marathon swim from Port Jefferson, LI to Captain's Cove in Bridgeport.

Westport Lane 3 defended its title for the second straight year while Tobey Saracino of Norwalk was the first female and solo swimmer to finish in a field of eight. W. Grant Johnston was the first male swimmer to finish at 6:32:45.

Jake Gulick, Westport Lane 3 captain, attributed his team's winning time to a strong lineup of young swimmers. Gulick, 48, is the oldest member of the team that includes Matt Wilson and Pat White, both 16 and Fairfield Prep students, Phil Novotny, 17, and Travis Bernnion, 24, and Josh Usdavin, 30.

"I like swimming on a team with a bunch of young, strong swimmers; it makes my job easy," Gulick said. "It was an exciting swim; we really enjoyed it. It's easy to fundraise for. We like to help people fall between the cracks in the health care system. I like that the money goes to the community."

Team Pride finished second at 4:51:41 and Fair Diego was the third-place finisher at 4:56:24.

More than 200 swimmers participated in the 20th annual Swim Marathon to support cancer patients, raising a record $300,000 Saturday. The Swim was held in memory of Dave Parcells, the former Marathon Director and noted amateur swimmer and Marilyn Goldstone, long-time supporter of the Swim.

Liz Fry, the Swim Director, applauded the commitment and perseverance of the swimmers, who tested their skills in a grueling marathon but also did an outstanding job fundraising to help cancer patients.

"The Swim is just a great organization that the community obviously embraces," Fry said. "It was an exciting finish with so many teams close together. Most importantly, we raised a record amount of funds to support the Swim. That's why we were all out there."

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