Senior Andrew Sansoucie is used to doing sprint races. Saturday’s 2.4-mile open water swim in Innsbrook, Missouri, was anything but.

Sansoucie and the Missouri swimming and diving team participated in a Swim Across America event that raised around $60,000 for cancer research, $10,494 of which came from money raised by the Tigers.

“This is a great team bonding exercise,” Sansoucie said. “It’s great to just get the whole team out here, men’s and women’s team together, doing something for a good cause, having fun, making a little trip out of it, making a day out of it.”

Many Missouri swimmers competed in the 2.4-mile race, while others helped out as “angel” swimmers. The angel swimmers swam with other competitors and helped encourage them throughout the race.

U.S. National Team member Michael Chadwick finished first in the 2.4-mile competition, edging out Missouri teammate Fabian Schwingenschlogl.

“It doesn’t matter who won or not,” Schwingenschlogl said. “It’s just to show feelings towards people against cancer, showing that we’re here for them and just have fun.”

The Tigers soared past their initial goal of raising $5,000. For freshman Caleb Hicks, it was exciting to see the the team bring in so much money.

“It was great,” he said. “Really rewarding, lifts up your spirits when the whole team can come together like that.”

Coach Jack Brown led the way for the Missouri team, raising $1,010. Coach Mark Gangloff brought in $875, and senior Brittany Hammond raised $775.

The proceeds of the event were donated to the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University.

Gangloff, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, said that the Tigers intend to make the event part of their yearly routine.

“We really want to wrap this event and the people involved in this event with open arms,” he said in a speech after the event, “because we care about the individuals and the causes that everyone here is individually swimming for.”

_Edited by Theo DeRosa | tderosa@themaneater.com_