At exactly 4 p.m. Tuesday, the first nine of more than 100 St. Thomas students plunged into the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex pool for the eighth annual Ted Mullin “Leave it in the Pool” Hour of Power Relay.

The relay honored former Carleton College swim team captain Ted Mullin, who passed away in 2006 from sarcoma.

In previous years, the event included up to 111 college and university programs representing 38 conferences, including NCAA Division I, II, III and 54 high school teams.

This year, 146 teams and an estimated 7,200 athletes from 96 colleges and universities, 46 high school and club teams and four international teams registered for the event.

Maureen Manley, Mullin’s cousin, attended the relay and spoke to the swimmers.

“We all know people who are affected by cancer,” Manley said. “I think for (St. Thomas) to continually do this for someone they don’t even know … it’s awesome to see them so excited.”

Swimming coach Tom Hodgson said the event was a success.

“This is by far the most successful event that we have had since we started doing this,” Hodgson said. “I’m really proud of our kids.”

Eric Wuebben can be reached at wueb2091@stthomas.edu.