Closing out the season with an in-state rivalry meet, New Mexico swam to victory over New Mexico State on Saturday. New Mexico posted a 153-142 win while honoring 3 seniors for their senior day.
New Mexico:
New Mexico 153, New Mexico State 142 — Results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On a day when the University of New Mexico swimming and diving team celebrated the careers of its three seniors – Shayla King, Lauren Tininenko and Kristin Walker – the Lobos dominated their Rio Grande Rivals, New Mexico State, by a score of 153-142. The win clinched the Rio Grande Rivalry for UNM for the ninth straight season, which is every season the trophy has been in existence.
“Our kids did everything they could to help us win today,” UNM head coach Kunio Kono said. “I saw a lot of personal bests and season bests today. A lot of girls are very happy today, and I’m excited for them. I think in my four years here this is one of our best performances.”
Despite it being Senior Day at Seidler Natatorium, several Lobo freshmen came through with outstanding performances. Adriana Palomino won both the 1,000 free and the 200 free back-to-back. Carol De Groote Tavares and Emily Huffer won the 100 back and 200 fly, respectively. Sophomore Deidra Dorough won the 200 back with a time of 2:04.59, while junior Emily McGill claimed first in the 400 IM in 4:28.65.
However, in the end it was a senior, Tininenko, who had the best day of her career to help the Lobos to victory. She claimed first in both the 50 free and 100 free with times of 24.13 and 52.79, respectively.
“Shayla, Lauren and Kristin all swam very well today,” Kono said. “Shayla and Lauren both turned in personal bests. Those three girls are our leaders. They are the heart and soul of this team, and they did an amazing job.”
The divers had just as good a day as the swimmers, as freshman Allyson Concepcion won both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Her scores of 273.53 and 280.20 in those events, respectively, both of which made the cut for NCAA Zone qualifying.
The win helps propel the Lobos towards the Mountain West Championships in two and a half weeks with some momentum.
“We have two and a half weeks to go,” said Kono. “The hard work is done so now we just have to rest up. We need to tweak some tiny details and then rest, rest, rest and we should be good to go.”
NMSU:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – NM State Swimming and Diving fell to Rio Grande rival New Mexico in final dual meet of the season on Saturday.
“It is always bittersweet to have the last dual meet of the season,” said assistant coachRachel Judge. “Some of our girls really stepped up today. Emily Nightingale had her best collegiate dual meet of her career, going 10:17 in the 1000 with the adjustment for altitude conversion. Freshmen Lauren Wood and Hanna McGowan swam tough and contributed in the breast and IM events. It is always hard to have a loss like today, but it was important for the girls to maintain good energy and they pushed through until the end. We still have a month left until the WAC Championship, and the next three weeks are a critical part of our season, as we move to prepare for WAC.”
In the 400-yard Medley Relay, the team of senior Cassandra Rupp, freshman Lauren Wood, senior Dorottya Lennert and sophomore Picabo Bender finished third with a time of 3:51.43. The team of sophomore Georgia Brown, freshman Hanna McGowan, sophomore Jannah Sonnenschein and senior Chelsey Reber finished fourth with a time of 3:53.79.
In the 1000-yard Freestyle, senior Emily Nightingale finished second with a time of 10:29.65. Senior Mackenzie Soper finished third with a time of 10:47.69. Junior Nattie French finished with a time of 10:52.44.
In the 200-yard Freestyle, freshman Barbora Kriznova finished third with a time of 1:56.36. Senior Moranda Madero finished with a time of 1:58.38, and sophomore Gaby Sanchez finished with a time of 1:58.39.
In the 100-yard Backstroke, Cassandra Rupp finished third with a time of 57.92. FreshmanLanie McAlpin finished with a time of 58.62, and Chelsey Reber finished with a time of 58.85.
In the 100-yard Breaststroke, the Aggies finished one-two with Lauren Wood winning with a time of 1:04.37. Hanna McGowan finished second with a time of 1:04.94. Logan Morrisfinished with a time of 1:07.51.
In the 200-yard Butterfly, Dorottya Lennert finished third with a time of 2:05.37. Nattie French finished with a time of 2:10.48, and sophomore Jennifer Brennecke finished with a time of 2:11.53.
In the 50-yard Freestyle, Georgia Brown finished third with a time of 24.54. Chelsey Reberand Aimee Hatfield both finished with a time of 24.66.
In the 3-meter Dive, freshman Mackinna Hauff finished second with a time of 277.73. Freshman Raina Brommer finished third with a score of 270.90, and senior Lauren Reifelfinished with a score of 257.40.
In the 100-yard Freestyle, Dorottya Lennert finished second with a time of 52.94. Georgia Brown finished third with a time of 53.67. Freshman Harlee Whitezell finished with a time of 53.94.
In the 200-yard Backstroke, Cassandra Rupp finished second with a time of 2:05.77. Gaby Sanchez finished third with a time of 2:07.77. Lanie McAlpin finished with a time of 2:08.67.
In the 200-yard Breastroke, Lauren Wood won with a time of 2:19.01. Barbora Krizanovafinished third with a time of 2:23.81. Hanna McGowan finished with a time of 2:23.81.
In the 500-yard Freestyle, the Aggies swept the top three spots with Picabo Bender winning with a time of 5:07.70. Mackenzie Soper finished second with a time of 5:13.95. Nattie French finished third with a time of 5:14.70.
In the 100-yard Butterfly, Dorottya Lennert won with a time of 55.98. Jannah Sonnenscheinfinished third with a time of 57.74. Lanie McAlpin finished with a time of 59.76.
In the 1-meter Dive, Mackinna Hauff finished second with a score of 272.70. Lauren Reifelfinished with a score of 264.15. Raina Brommer finished with a score of 253.80.
In the 400-yard IM, Lauren Wood finished fourth with a time of 4:40.02. Emily Nightingalefinished with a time of 4:42.26. Barbora Krizanova finished with a time of 4:43.26.
In the 400-yard Freestyle Relay, the team of Cassandra Rupp, Georgia Brown, Chelsey Reberand Picabo Bender won with a time of 3:34.13. the team of Harlee Whitezell, Aimee Hatfield,Moranda Madero and Mackenzie Soper finished third with a time of 3:42.62.
The Aggies are back in action on Friday Feb. 5, as the divers travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. to close out the regular season with the divers-only Air Force Invitational.
Swimming news courtesy of New Mexico and New Mexico State Swimming & Diving.