KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Head Coach Lilli Falconer Deering has named Avery Potyrala, Anna Petke, and Julianna Tyler as team captains for the 2026-27 Swimming & Diving season.

Potyrala returns for a fourth season after graduating a year early. Potyrala was part of the 800-yard medley relay team that set the facility record at the Harold Anderson Invitational with a time of 7:29.31.
Potyrala was also part of the team that set the program record in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:25.00 and in the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 7:23.21 at the Atlantic 10 Championships last season.

Petke is in her fourth year with the program. The Bethlehem, Pa., native has three wins and four second-place finishes in the 1- and 3-meter dives in her career, including a first-place 303.68 in the 1-meter on Jan. 18, 2025, which set the program record at the time. Petke was named A10 Performer of the Week back on Jan. 21, 2025.

Tyler enters her senior season for the Rams, after winning seven different events in the 2025-26 season. The Cheshire, Conn. native finished fifth in the 400-yard individual medley and sixth in the 200-yard butterfly at the A10 Championships. Tyler holds the program record for the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:01.41

The Rams open their 2026-27 season on Saturday, Oct. 10, when they take on Siena & Stonehill at the Tootell Aquatic Center.