A 22-year-old Monroe man won Saturday's Swim Across the Sound race for the third year in a row.

Joey Nizzardo was among seven solo swimmers and 39 relays teams that competed in the grueling open-water race.

The 15.5-mile marathon began in Port Jefferson, New York and ended at Captain's Cove in Bridgeport.

Swim Across the Sound raises money for cancer patients and families, providing financial assistance and program support.

Nizzardo dedicated the race to his grandfather, who is fighting multiple myeloma and waited for him at the finish line.

"I mean it's a great thing to have under my belt not only to be able to finish it but to win it. I think it's just great. And it gives me some sort of confidence I think with abilities to work hard and swim, I think," he said.

Nizzardo is looking to return next year for a possible four-peat.

This year's race raised nearly $700,000 for the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute.