WILLIAMSBURG, VA. - Last Friday the William & Mary men's and women's swim teams competed in the 44th annual Wally Riley Memorial Cancer Swim in the James River. Senior Elizabeth Intihar won the women's two-mile loop, while freshman Will Glass took home first place for the men. 
 
The James River swim was started 44 years ago by longtime William & Mary coach Wally Riley. In the early days, swimmers would head across the James River with balloons tied to their feet or goggles to alert boats that they were in the water. 
 
Today, the team swims a two-mile loop in the Chickahominy with boats, paddle boards, kayaks, and jet skis in the water to create a safe course for the participants. 
 
Each year, the swim signals the kickoff of the new season and raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society with the goal to donate at least $15,000 to the American Cancer Society per year. 
 
Neither champion was a surprise as Intihar won the 500 free and 1,000 free in three dual meets last season. At the CAA Championships, the distance swimmer finished fourth in the 1,650 free. Glass is no stranger to open water distance swims as the freshman has competed in multiple USA Swimming Open Water National Championship events. 
 
The William & Mary swim teams will open the season this Saturday with a dual meet at UNCW.