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Aggies trounce Lobos in Albuquerque to solidify best record in program history.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo and Story By Matthew Knope for NMSU: Courtesy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Eight wins and just one loss later, NM State Swim & Dive secured its best single-season winning percentage in program history. The Crimson & White trekked up to Albuquerque, cruising to a 197-102 victory en route to clinching a final regular-season record of 8-1.
The Crimson & White took the crown in 11 of 16 events on the day, landing on 32 of the 48 possible podium spots. Emily Dobbins and Dijana Mazumdar each led the way with three first-place finishes including closing out the final two legs of the 200 medley relay.
Mira Tinani earned the divers a win as the two sides split on the day. The Canadian sophomore posted a pool-best 280.80 in the 3m dive while Peytton Moore and Addison Pastiak finished fourth and six. In the 1m dive, Tinani placed third while Moore and Pastiak went fifth and sixth.
Kira Brownell, Kathryn Gyde, Emily Dobbins and Dijana Mazumdar opened up the day with a victory in the 200 IM relay with a cumulative time of 1:43.41. Katie Rink followed up right after with her usual dominant showing in the 1000 free, posting a first-place finish of 10:20.32.
Mazumdar reached the wall first once again in the 200 free, with three more Aggies straight behind her. Lina Khiyara, Naomi Slee and Dreamer Kowatch wrapped up a 1-2-3-4 Aggie finish in the third event of the day.
Emily Dobbins’ 55.96 in the 100 back earned her a first-place crown in the 100 back, just ahead of Anna Uren who came in third. In the 100 breast, Foteini Charitou headlined yet another 1-2-3-4 placing. Kodi Wiman, Faye McDonagh and Arleen Rumbaum all finished less than 1.20 seconds apart.
The entire 200 fly podium belonged to Aggies, led by Estel Galo (2:05.46) while followed by Ellen Osthelder and Emma Bacon. Mazumdar followed up in the ensuing event – the 50 free – with a blazing 23.85 to claim the top spot.
In the 200 back, Dobbins (2:04.33) led what was a full Aggie podium, followed by Riley Crespo and Anna Uren. Quickly after, Kodi Wiman and Foteini Charitou earned second and third place in the 200 breast.
Naomi Slee and Katie Rink easily paced the pool in the 500 free, with the former’s 4:58.56 coming just ahead of her teammate’s mark that cleared all competitors by nearly seven seconds.
The 200 IM was the third and final instance of an all-top-four Aggie finish, led by Faye McDonagh at 2:06.09. Riley Crespo, Kodi Wiman and Lina Khiyara rounded out the podium and then some in the final individual event of the day.
While UNM managed to narrowly claim the title in the 200 free relay, NM State’s A and B groups went 2-3 in the final event of the afternoon, led by the former quartet of Kathryn Gyde, Emily Dobbins, Kira Brownell and Katie Rink (1:34.50).
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QUOTABLE | HEAD COACH RICK PRATT
“We are super proud of the team and their performances today. Some many great moments and the team took charge and swam with high intensity and confidence. This will be a great way to push things towards the WAC Championship meet in three weeks.”
UP NEXT
The WAC Championships are on deck for later this month in Pharr, Texas. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the conference will begin its four-day affair in the NRWC Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston. The events will conclude on Saturday, March 1.
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