Smithfield, RI -- The Bryant University men's and women's swimming and diving teams participated in the Swim Across America-Rhode Island Swim and raised $7,440 towards cancer research last weekend at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narrangansett, R.I.

Saturday's competitive one-mile ocean swim was one of the largest groups of college athletes in the country as nine schools from New England sent swimmers.

"It was an awesome event and I am so proud of our athletes as well as all the swimmers from all the college programs that participated," head coach Katie Cameron said. "Being part of such a special cause had such value. I think it gave everyone the time to reflect on those they know that might benefit from the proceeds, as well as take a moment to be grateful for all the good in our lives.  The amount of money raised for women and infants is spectacular.  We are already talking about how to increase our donations and be one of the best fundraising teams for next year's swim."

Swim Across America is a non-profit corporation that runs events from Boston to San Francisco to support cancer research at the country's finest hospitals and institutions. Proceeds from the Rhode Island swim go directly to Woman & Infants hospital, the largest and most diverse oncology service for woman in the Northeast, providing a broad spectrum of care for gynecological and breast cancers. It has evolved into a world-renowned, multi-disciplinary facility where clinicians uncover key answers to the questions of cancer, and focus on the needs of the patients and families.