ST. IGNACE — Not many people can say they have swum the Straits of the Mackinac. However, for 16-year-old Aya Keteri and her aunt Laurie Smith, it has already been checked off their bucket lists.

The duo did the 4.5-mile Mackinac Bridge Swim at the end of July. They were among more than 250 swimmers who braved the connecting waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to raise money for a good cause.

“It is a charity event that raises money for first responders at the Mackinaw City and St. Ignace Fire Departments,” said organizer Eric Hansen.

This was his fourth year as the self-described “splash coordinator.”

The event raised around $100,000 according to Hansen.

Swimmers swim south to north starting in Mackinaw City and straddle the side of the bridge towards St. Ignace. That equates to m

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