Swimming & Diving: Cadets swim 24-hour challenge to raise money for Ukraine

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men’s and women’s swimming & diving team came back from holiday break in a unique fashion, kicking off the 2023 calendar year with a 24-hour swim challenge to raise money for Ukraine between Jan. 6-7.

The event, which began in the afternoon hours of Friday, Jan. 6 and extended into the near-evening hours of Saturday, helped direct $760.19 to the war-torn country of Ukraine.

The Vice President of Student Affairs/Commandant of Cadets, Col. William McCollough, helped start things off, participating alongside Norwich swimmers for the opening hour.

“While it remains a politically unstable country, Ukraine is vital in the global conflict with Russia.  US aid to Ukraine has not only saved many Ukrainian lives, but also enabled the United States to deter one of our greatest foreign adversaries without American lives being put at risk,” senior women’s swimmer Nikky Avise (Owens Cross Roads, Ala.) said.  “In this manner, we need a free Ukraine as much as Ukrainians desire it.  We on the Norwich swim and dive team are fortunate to participate freely in the sports we love.  It was very important for us to show our support for our Ukrainian teammate, and for strength in democracy abroad.”

“We chose to show our support for Ukraine by swimming for 24 hours,” Head Coach Jennifer Cournoyer said.  “Our event was grueling at times, and we learned many things, but overall, I was highly impressed with the team and how they helped support one another throughout.  As a Coach and mother, watching our teammate and other Norwich students who could not go home for break is a painful reality.  Not going home because you no longer have a home, not just because your home is gone but because your hometown is gone.”

“Norwich University’s swimming and diving team took on a 24-hour swim challenge to help raise money and awareness to the ongoing war in Ukraine.  This event hit a lot of people personally, including one of our teammates, as him and his family have been significantly affected by the ongoing turmoil in his home country,” senior men’s swimmer Derek Furtado (Plymouth, Mass.) said.  “After a long 24 hours and a slight amount of sleep deprivation, the challenge was complete.  I would like to thank all donors and participants for your efforts to aid a country in need.”

The men’s and women’s swimming & diving team, after their untiring, diligent weekend, will celebrate Senior Day in their final home meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 14.  Start time for the meet is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Goodyear Pool.