TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head men's and women's swimming & diving coach Shannon O'Brien has announced that four student-athletes will serve as captains for the 2010-11 season. Carly Antonucci and Grace Fitzgerald will lead the women's squad, while Luke Flanagan and Alex Updegrove will serve as captains on the men's side. It marks Antonucci's second season as captain and the first for the other three.

“These four student-athletes have demonstrated achievement and leadership throughout their careers both in and out of the pool at Rensselaer,” said O'Brien. “We as a staff know that their passion and dedication to the program will continue to bring success to both the team and RPI.”

Antonucci, who will be a junior in the fall, hails from Long Valley, N.J., and has made an immediate impact for the women's program since her rookie season. In 2009-10, she had a solid effort at the Liberty League Championships, helping the team to second overall after finishing fourth or higher in all six events she competed. She garnered the league's Swimmer of the Week honors twice.

The former standout at West Morris Central High School, she also helped RPI to a best-ever finish at the UNYSCSA Championships, posting a school record in the 200 medley relay. As a freshman, Antonucci recorded five top-five finishes at the conference championships, including a win in the 100-yard butterfly. She is also a Liberty League All-Academic selection.

Hailing from Manchester, N.H., Fitzgerald, who will be a senior this fall, had an outstanding effort at the league championships last season, claiming victory in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 405.00 points. She also finished third off the 1-meter board with 332.75 points.

A graduate of Manchester High School, Fitzgerald also had a solid effort at the State Meet, finishing fifth in the 3-meter with a score of 4.06.60 points. She was a Liberty League Diver of the Week honoree once and a Liberty League All-Academic.

Flanagan, who is from Old Bethpage, N.Y., heads into his junior season as the school record holder in two events, including the 400-yd freestyle relay set at the State Meet in February. A three-time winner at the Liberty League Championships in 2009-10, he also finished fifth or higher in three events at States.

A graduate of Plainview-Old Bethpage-JFK High School, Flanagan placed third or better in four events at the conference championships during his rookie year, including a win in the 400-yd freestyle relay.

Updegrove, who will be a senior in the fall, returns to the Engineers roster after a semester abroad. A native of Carson City, Nev., he helped the men's squad win the Liberty League Championship in 2008-09, posting fifth in two different relays. The school record holder in the 100-butterfly, Updegrove is a graduate of Carson City High School.

The men's and women's swimming & diving teams open their 2010-11 schedule on October 23 in a dual meet against Roger Williams at Robison Pool (1pm).