BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Swimming teams will open their 2025-26 campaign on Saturday afternoon at Providence College for the Friar Invitational.
The Hawks' men's swimming team enters the season following a fifth-place finish at the NJAC Championship. After graduating some strong swimmers, the team will look to key returners Dylan Gourlay (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) and Connor Poetsch (Randolph, N.J.)
Gourlay was a strong performer for RWU last year, posting the top times for Roger at New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, 500-yard backstroke, and 200-yard butterfly. Poetsch following closely behind in multiple freestyle events and claiming Roger's top spot at the NJAC Championship in the 1650-yard freestyle.
On the women's swimming side, the Hawks improved on their 2023-24 season and finished seventh at the NJAC Championship last year. The team returns a strong foundation including Avery Benigni (Meriden, Conn.) and Claire Dombrofski (West Hartford, Conn.).
Benigni was a top swimmer for RWU last year, tallying a top 10 finish in the 50-yard freestyle at the NJAC Championship. Benigni was the second RWU finisher in the 100-yard butterfly and placed 18th at NJACs. Dombrofski was solid as well finishing just behind Benigni in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle.
In 2025-26, the Hawks return 15 swimmers on the men's side and 19 on the women's side, giving both teams a solid foundation heading into the season.
Following this weekend's Friar Invitational, the Hawks will host Babson on Saturday, Oct. 18 before hosting the RWU Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 25. RWU will then travel to Bridgeport on Saturday, Nov. 8 and then to Wheaton's Fall Invitational on Nov 21 and Nov. 22.
Roger Williams will compete in WPI's Tech Sprints on Jan. 23 and Jan 24 before traveling to Coast Guard on Saturday, Jan 31. The Hawks will then head to the NJAC Championships Feb. 12 to Feb 15.
