WALTHAM, Mass. – Seniors Kaitlin McGahie (Boylston/Tahanto Reg. HS), Matt Ahlmeyer (Morris Plains, N.J./Morristown HS) and Jerrod Zimmer (Middletown, Conn./Middletown HS) will serve as captains of the 2016-17 Bentley University swimming and diving teams, head coach Mary Kay Samko announced.

McGahie, a two-time Academic All-Northeast-10 honoree who earned her first conference championship last February (800 free relay), has her name attached to four school records, including the individual marks for the 50 yard freestyle (24.39 seconds) and the 100 individual medley (1:00.70). McGahie has 11 NE-10 medals, including silver in the 2016 100 freestyle.

"Kate has been our reliable relay anchor since her freshman year," praised Samko. "She loves to compete and it trickles down to her teammates."

Ahlmeyer has finished third in the 200 backstroke at the Northeast-10 Championships each of the last three years with his time improving annually (2:04.12, 2:02.72, 2:00.32). On Bentley's all-time lists, Ahlmeyer ranks seventh in the 200 back (1:58.98), 10th in the 100 back (54.98) and 14th in the 100 butterfly (54.54).

"Matt is one of the team's iron men, swimming the more grueling events: the 200 fly and the 400 individual medley," said his coach.

Zimmer helped Bentley win the consolation finals during last year's NE-10 Championships and also was 11th in the 400 individual medley. His highest individual finish during the conference championships came in 2014 when he was tenth in the 1650 freestyle. Zimmer owns the eighth best 400 IM time in program history, 4:20.50, and is also 12th all-time in the 100 butterfly (54.26).

 "Jerrod has been one of the team's more versatile swimmers, scoring in dual meets in the IMs, the distance freestyles, the butterfly and the breaststroke events.," Samko commented.

"We look forward to this season with confidence in the leadership this group will provide," said Samko.

Bentley opens its season Saturday afternoon at Wheaton College.