The American Red Cross in Nassau County recently held its most successful Swim-A-Cross ever. An all-time record of 147 swimmers raised a record-breaking $25,000 during the 12th annual event on August 17. All proceeds will benefit local services of the American Red Cross, including disaster relief and lifesaving courses in health and safety.

While the annual Red Cross Swim-A-Cross is not a race, there are always a few young people who take the challenge to try to come in first and this year, Plainview resident Matthew Descovich was the first to come to shore at Bayville's Centre Island Beach.

Descovich has been swimming since he was 6 years old. "I swim for the LI Aquatic Club. I swim everyday, including the weekends and I plan to pursue it into college and possibly the Olympics," he said.

This was Descovich's fourth year at the Swim-A-Cross and he is looking forward to next year. "My career goal is to go as far as I can," said the 14-year-old. "The advantage of being a swimmer is that swimming brings out the best in me and keeps me going."

Descovich, who is a student at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, was followed by a string of other young people including Robert Frawley, 13, of Syosset, second; Joe Giberti, 17, of Wantagh, third; Janet Reynolds, 18, and Mary Scott, 15, both of Bethpage.

The Swim-A-Cross was a one-mile swim across Oyster Bay Harbor. There was no time limit to finish the swim. For safety, lifeguards were positioned on surfboards and boats where swimmers rested if needed.

Fred Galante, a Red Cross volunteer from Glen Cove, stood at the front of the bus reading off the rules of the game. "It's the twelfth year and every year there are more people and more sponsors," he said. "The money stays in Nassau County to help those with house and apartment fires and other problems you hear about in the newspapers."

He cautioned the swimmers to pace themselves and remember it was a swim and not a race, although this was the bus with the faster swimmers aboard, and they would leave the dock first.

The swimmers are now gathering their pledge sponsorship money, which is expected to be in by Sept. 28. The American Red Cross is already planning the Swim-A-Cross for August 2002. Residents are urged to send a letter requesting they be added to the "Swim-A-Cross" registration form mailing list if interested. The address is American Red Cross, Attn. Financial Development, 195 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501.