Distance Swimmer Nyad Has Lake Forest Roots

By Emily Stone

Diana Nyad, who made international news Monday by swimming from Cuba to Florida without a protective cage, was once a North Shore resident. She graduated from Lake Forest College in 1973.

Nyad, 64, swam for 53 hours on her fifth attempt at the feat, becoming the first person to accomplish it, according to CNN.com.

Jackie Slaats, the school’s director of athletics, was following Nyad’s attempt. She told CBS that she wasn’t surprised that Nyad finally achieved her goal.

Lake Forest College has a page of pictures of Nyad training and making earlier attempts at the long-distance swim.