Oct. 13, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's and women's swimming teams raised just over $5,000 for the Mt. Nittany Medical Center Cancer Unit during its Swim Across America event Friday, Sept. 25. The event featured multiple fun relay races amongst the nearly 100 participants.
The money was raised in honor of Ellen Perry, a member of the Penn State Athletics staff from 1966 until her retirement on June 30, 2002. Her distinguished career spanning almost 40 years in teaching, coaching and athletic administration included serving as the Nittany Lions' first women's swimming and diving head coach. Perry passed away in March 2014 after a heroic battle with cancer.
"It's always nice to do community events like that," said swimming co-captain Jon Seiferth (Allison Park, Pa.). "Obviously it's for a great cause. Ellen Perry is someone who was not only very close to the women's swimming program, but the men's swimming program and every single women's sports team on this campus. To be able to devote a community event to her is just something awesome that we really like to take advantage of. It's a good cause, it's a lot of fun and it was nice to see other sports teams out there and be able to compete against them in our atmosphere."
Penn State's varsity men's and women's swimming teams were joined by the club swimming teams for the event, while the women's lacrosse and fencing teams also participated. Additionally, members of the State College community volunteered, while a Penn State PhD student swam the furthest distance.
Since 1987, Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] has been dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To date, Swim Across America has raised over $60 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment.
Penn State will next return home to McCoy Natatorium and host Virginia Tech Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m.