9th Annual Maryland Swim for Life July 8, 2000 by Cheryl Wagner

4 mile winners: 2nd Maureen Rohrs (far left) and 1st Jeff Vaughan (far right) 3 mile winners: 2nd Joseph Giitter (2nd from left) and 1st Marcia Smith (2nd from right)

On July 8, 2000, sixty-six swimmers plunged into the Chester River on Maryland's Eastern Shore to raise more than $14,000 to benefit people with HIV and AIDS. Pledges from the 9th Annual Maryland Swim for Life were shared by organizations providing services for more than 20,000 persons with HIV throughout the state. For the second year, swimmers began their 1, 2, 3, or 4 mile swims from Rolph's Wharf Marina, an idyllic and peaceful setting near Chestertown, Maryland. Two adventurous swimmers did 8 miles, against the current.

The top finishers for each course were:

1 mile	1st - Janice Bonner 25:30	2nd - Kenny Chisholm 26:41	3rd - Amanda Loudin 27:52
2 mile	1st - Jenny Higgins 53:15	2nd - Rose Weller 58:39	3rd - Larry Wissow 59:47
3 mile	1st - Marcia Smith 1:36:43	2nd - Joseph Gitter 1:56:58	3rd - Mona Guilfoil 1:56:59
4 mile	1st - Jefferson Vaughan 1:54:47	2nd - Maureen Rohrs 2:13:53	3rd - John Brenner 2:28:22
8 mile	1st - Carin Michel 6:02:00	2nd - Lisa Villeneuve 6:11:00

SFL's long-standing top fundraiser, Bob Stein, swam 2 miles in the Chester River on June 17 and raised more than $7,000.

Race organizer, Joe Stewart, had the following to say about SFL:
"For many, SFL's always been a very personal way to remember lost loved ones. For others, it's their chance to build a qualifying time to someday do the bay. The emphasis of SFL has always been away from competition and on community building and celebration. Prizes include original artwork, and t-shirts display students' original drawings rather than corporate logos. For volunteers and participants alike, SFL is a special day to come together in recognition of diversity and acknowledgment of community. The natural beauty of the spot, the personal challenge of having to necessarily battle the strong currents, the minister's prayer, the musicians' songs, the balloons, and the family and friends coming to spread their blankets and picnic create an atmosphere, not a race."

Next year's 10th Annual Maryland Swim for Life will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2001 at Rolph's Wharf Marina in Chestertown, Maryland. This anniversary event will feature a 5-mile course in addition to the usual 1, 2, 3, and 4 mile courses. For more information, contact Joe Stewart: phone: (410) 243-4418; email: cherylw@crosslink.net; web: www.crosslink.net/~cherylw/sfl2001i.htm