In the time it took to walk to the bus and ride over from the dock on Centre Island back to Centre Island Beach in Bayville, 20 minutes, the fast swimmers were emerging from the water at the 11th annual one-mile Swim-A-Cross fund raiser on Aug. 11.

Although the annual Swim-A-Cross Oyster Bay is not a race, many athletes use it as one. It is a chance for competitive swimmers to test their strength and speed.

In the bus going over the swimmers were getting themselves up for the swim.

Sitting alone, was Egor Lazebnik, formerly of East Norwich and now living in Northport. He will enter Northport High School as a senior this year. He swims at the Huntington YMCA and hoped to finish the mile in under 20 minutes. He came in fourth, very disgruntled with his performance: he just returned from a vacation in Culebra, Puerto Rico. He came in first last year.

Matt Descovich of Plainview was sitting across the aisle from Egor. Matt swims with the Long Island Aquatic Club at Eisenhower Park. He too planned to make it in about 20 minutes. The Plainview High School student came in second, behind Jennifer Nucci, another Plainview swimmer. Last year, she came in second, right after Egor Lazebnik.

The Garden City swim team was again participating in the SAC. Sitting together near the back of the bus was Stephen Morelli, working this summer for Morello Construction, doing remodeling. He said proudly, Sarah Daly, on their team was a good choice for first. She came in second last year, he said. "I'll be third," said Kristy Sebring, another Garden City swimmer. Sarah came in third, smiling happily.

They picked Matt Descovich as another candidate for first. "He's getting on his "game face" now," said William Sebring as the bus neared the dock.

Suzanne Fosella of Rocky Point was one of the riders in the last bus. "It's my 10th year," she said. "Am I coming in first? In my fantasy world, yes!"

The bus stopped at the Centre Island destination and the swimmers walked across the spongy mowed lawn to the dock and plunged in for the race. A bus carried reporters and officials back to the beach. As it pulled up Judge Ute Lally said, "They are already coming in!"

Amazingly, Jennifer Nucci of Plainview, one of the LIAC members was already first out of the water!

Matt Descovich was second, followed by Sarah Daly in third place and a disgruntled Egor in fourth. He had hoped to do better. Diane Korn of Freeport was fifth.

Diane looked at her wristwatch and said the water was 79 degrees to 78 degrees. She is an elementary teacher in Roosevelt, Long Island. She was swimming in spite of having a loose front tooth. "My horse kicked me in the head. I'm participating in a two-mile swim race in Greenwich tomorrow," she said. "Warm water is too hot for me. I swim in the Great South Bay which is 67 degrees."

Rich Huminski came in sixth. He is an East Norwich chiropractor. His twin brother Robert also competed.

In seventh place was Bryan MacCausland of Downingtown, Pennsylvania who was visiting his father-in-law Joe Barry of Glen Cove.

The eighth place winner was Erick Bressler of Cutchogue who swims with the Runners Edge Racing Team of Farmingdale.

In ninth place was Lori Adam of Jericho who got a big kiss from her husband Jeff.

A swimmer in college, Harrison Knight, 50 plus, of Locust Valley was 10th. He was greeted by his son, Mack, 19.

In 10th place was Steve Schloss of Muttontown who was met on the beach by his wife Barbara. "It's a good tune-up for the Triathlon next week," said the first time participant in the Swim-A-Cross.

The swimmers all have pledges signed by their supporters. This year the Red Cross expects to raise $21,000. Money which will all be spent to help people facing sudden disasters. If you are one of the signers, don't miss contributing. If you just got a vicarious thrill reading about the fun, you can send your donation to the Red Cross at American Red Cross in Nassau County at 195 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501. FYI: The American Red Cross receives no government funding and relies solely on the community for its support.

Local residents who participated in the Swim-A-Cross include: from Bayville: Brian Weinfeld, James Curran, Renata Maimone, Jane Morfis, Martha Offerman, Livio Percah, Eileen Relyea, Jacqueline Sullivan; Luciana Niedermuller of Brookville; from East Norwich, Jenna Ament, Richard Huminski, Donna I. Meltzer, Laurie J. Meltzer, Denise Vickers; from Locust Valley - Louise E. Kaufmann, Harrison Knight, Mac Knight; from Mill Neck - Bret and Lauri S. Affrunti; from Oyster Bay - Debbie Beardsley, John J. Bellock, Liz Bice, Carol J. Dempster, Andi Emerson-Ditkoff, Jay and Susan Keller Goldstein, Anja and Janice M. Hermann, Laurence and Robert Keller, Matthew Manning, John Specce; from Oyster Bay Cove - Lauren, Maria A. and Maria C. Ehlinger.

Matt Descovich of Plainview, was second out of the water.