Mustang Swimmer Colton Ingraham Claims Second Alcatraz Invitational Title
Oct 9 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 9, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (SMU)-Colton Ingraham is standing at the precipice of the ocean, waiting for the moment to plunge in and begin a 1.5 mile trek to San Francisco from Alcatraz Island. In either hand, he holds all the energy and drive he will need to once again reach the shoreline of San Francisco ahead of the pack. His mother, Susan, stands on one side, while his brother, Chase, stands on the other, both holding hands with Colton in a show of closeness and solidarity.
Family is what has brought Colton, a senior on the SMU men's swimming and diving team, to his second Alcatraz Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20. As an added benefit, the event also provides Colton with the physical conditioning he needs while he prepares for the upcoming training season. For Colton, this event signifies a moment when the only thing he has to think about is spending time with those he cares about most.
"The event itself is really just a workout to me, but what it incorporates is so much more. Due to athletics, I rarely to get go home and I end up spending most of my time at SMU. This event gives me an opportunity to hang out in a relaxed setting with my family and not worry about school or athletics," says Ingraham.
The 13th Annual Alcatraz Invitational is a family affair for the Ingrahams, swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Chase, a former SMU men's swimming team Captain, participates in the non-wetsuit division, while Susan, a four time All-American at Arizona and an Olympic Qualifier, races with Colton in the wetsuit division. It has been two years since Colton last competed with Chase in the water at SMU and this event allows Colton the opportunity to once again go head to head with his older brother. "I haven't competed with him in at least two years and it is nice to have an area in my life where I can top one of my brothers, since they are both very successful."
Chase ended the Invitational placing 10th overall and 7th in the non-wetsuit division with a time of 28:17. Susan finished 19th overall and 14th in the wetsuit division coming in at 31:04.
For the non-swimmers, Colton's father and older brother Kyle, the Alcatraz Invitational presents an athletic challenge they hope to conquer one day. "All of my family wishes to participate, and the non-swimmers in my family see it as a goal. They want to accomplish something no one else thinks they can accomplish, and I greatly encourage it."
Twice, Colton has swum in the Invitational, and twice, he has placed first. In this year's event, the San Antonio, Texas native clocked a winning time of 24:46, 14 seconds ahead of the next overall fastest swimmer, using an exceptional open water swimming stroke to its fullest potential. "Since I have won the race before, many of my competitors are focused on beating me," says Ingraham.
But Colton keeps a healthy attitude about the competition, with winning taking a backseat to feelings of accomplishment. "I am very appreciative of my placement each year, but I compete mainly for the excitement of swimming across distances that even I deem impossible from the coast."
The Alcatraz Invitational is an event that has been held for 25 years by the South End Rowing Club. This year's Invitational attracted 472 competitors overall, with proceeds from the registration fee partially benefitting the Friends of Recreation and Park Fund.
SMU men's swimming and diving will hold an Intrasquad meet on October 16th, followed by competition against Centenary College on October 25th when they travel to Shreveport, Louisiana.
