LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State swimming and diving team celebrated a successful 2015-16 season on Sundayat Salopek Farms.
“The pecan trees looked beautiful, we ate delicious food prepared by Dave Salopek and Pat Rogers and we got to reflect on how we have been challenged by and grown from adversity,” said head coach Rick Pratt. “We could not be more proud of these ladies accomplishments and are excited to announce our 2016-17 Captains, Natalie French and Georgia Brown, will be helping take our team to the next level.”
The Aggies had a very successful season that saw many records fall and many program firsts. Senior Dorottya Lennert was a major part of those successes, breaking three school records in the 200 IM, 100 Butterfly and 200 Butterfly. She was also the first athlete in program history to be named Western Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year.
Other major achievements this season included Lauren Wood being named WAC Freshman of the Year, having three athletes named first team All-WAC, having six athletes named second team All-WAC and finishing second at the WAC Championships. 35 percent of the program’s top times came from this year’s team.
The Aggies not only succeeded in the pool, they were also successful in the classroom and in the community. NM State put together a team GPA of 3.38, featuring 12 Crimson and White Scholars. The Aggies put in 850 hours of community service over the last year, an average of 27.8 hours per athlete.
One of the major additions to program this season was the Glass Family Locker Room. With a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony on February 19, the new facility features a lounge area for the athletes, as well as office space for the coaching staff.
During the banquet, several team awards were given out. Lennert won Swimmer of the Year, while senior Lauren Reifel won Diver of the Year. Freshman Lauren Wood was named Outstanding Newcomer. Sophomore Picabo Bender was named Most Improved. The Linda Schroeder Academic Award went to junior Logan Morris. Sophomore Jennifer Brennecke was named Lifter of the Year. Freshman Lanie McAlpin won the Coaches Award. Junior Natalie French and senior Cassandra Rupp received the 2015-16 Captains Award.
“The best team is not the one who can produce the most highs, but the one who can persevere through the low times,” said Pratt. “This group had the character to take things to the next level because of their willingness to press on when life pushes them down, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we have accomplished this year.”
Swimming news courtesy of New Mexico State Swimming & Diving.