Northwestern swimmers volunteered to help a participant of the Big Shoulders Open Water Classic 5K race finish her race at Ohio Street Beach on Sept. 10.

            The Wildcat swimmers acted as "Swim Angels" during the race, swimming alongside competitors to encourage them to finish the 5K.

            One participant in particular hadn't swam in an open 5K race before and asked that senior Jenny Wilson be her swim angel. Wilson swam alongside the competitor, whose goal was to finish in 3 ½ hours, and helped the woman finish in 2.75 hours. With water temperatures that day of about 65 degrees, other members of the Wildcats swim team joined Wilson and the participant to encourage her to finish under her goal time.