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IMBA Alumnus Swims Long Island Sound


Alumnus Grant Johnston (IMBA ’02) swam 16 miles across Long Island Sound in 6.5 hours during St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound August 4, well surpassing his goal of 7.5 hours.  He was the first-place male finisher and 2nd overall.  Johnston personally raised $3,600 for cancer patients and their families.

Johnston_Grant-SwimFor two previous years, Johnston swam on a relay team in the event that begins in West Beach, Port Jefferson, New York, and ends at Captain’s Cove Marina, Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Johnston's relay team, Westport Swim Club Lane 3, placed first in 2006.  (In photo, Johnston is second from left.) 

Johnston lost his father to cancer as he was working toward a master of accounting degree at N.C. State after completing his graduate program at USC. “Cancer has affected my family in many ways,” Johnston said. “My grandmother and father passed away from cancer-related illnesses. Also, seeing my cousin Carolyn fight cancer and win gave me inspiration to try something new….If I my cousin can fight cancer and win, 25 kilometers in the water should be a piece of cake.”

Johnston has swam competitively since high school – he was a member of the North Carolina State University swim team during his undergraduate career, and swam with a U.S. Masters Swim team in the late 1990s.

Johnston’s training included 1½-hour swims in a pool 4-5 times a week and longer swims in open water on the weekends. He has swam in Lake Austin, Texas (13.5 miles), the mouth of the Potomac (7.5 miles), the Chesapeake Bay (4.4. miles), and in a relay race around Manhattan Island (7 miles individually, 28.5 miles as a team).

This marks the 20th year of the St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound, an event dedicated “ to breaking down the barriers to access for cancer screening and prevention programs.” Begun by the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation and a young man who had lost his leg to cancer, the money raised – more than $2.5 million since 1987 – has supported 34 cancer education, screening, and prevention programs and has benefited more than 18,000 cancer patients.

Johnston fits swim practice around his busy career as a risk manager, GE Healthcare Financial Services in Bethesda, Maryland. He is also a certified public accountant.

Johnston also continues to support the Moore School and its graduates as a recruiter for his company.

Gail Crouch
August  2007