Senior Sarah Mantz was the top female finisher in the Lake Champlain Open Water Swim on Sunday, leading several participants from the Vermont women’s swimming & diving program in the annual event.
The Lake Champlain Open Water Swim is nearly a four-mile swim starting from the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains from the Old Dock in the town of Essex, New York across Lake Champlain to the Charlotte public beach in Vermont. Water temperature for the race was just over 60-degrees.
Mantz led all Catamounts as she crossed the lake in a time of 1:37.42, one minute behind the top finisher. Former Vermont swimmer Ashley Mitson ’15 placed second on the women’s side in 1:39.50, while Stefi Geiger finished fourth overall with a time of 1:43.59.
Lauren Punger was the fourth current UVM swimmer to reach the shore with a time of 1:51.40. Other subsequent Catamount finishers in the race included Carleigh Abromovitz and Madeline Blumenfeld, while Chandler Brandes, Kelly Lennon, and Alexy Novelli also participated.
For over 50 years the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) has been the lead citizens’ voice for drinkable water, edible fish, and swimmable beaches. With the support of memberships and donations, LCC works to address the most pressing environmental issues facing the lake and to ensure public access.
Courtesy of University of Vermont Athletics.