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NM State Head Coach wins second straight honor after best season in program history.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo and Story By Matthew Knope for NMSU: Courtesy
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Western Athletic Conference revealed its 2024-25 Postseason Awards on Tuesday, March 18. The league selected NM State’s Rick Pratt as its Coach of the Year, doing so for the second consecutive season.
This season, Pratt led the program to an 8-1 record, breaking a school record for winning percentage (.889). NM State came out on top in its final six meets, claiming victory in four of its five WAC dual meets. The Aggies beat Grand Canyon by 46 points on Senior Day where they recognized Elizabeth Cervantes-Vanderlugt and Lina Khiyara.
A few weeks later, the Crimson & White wrapped up their regular season in Albuquerque, where they dominated rival New Mexico by a score of 197-102. The Aggies finished first in 11 of 16 events against the Lobos, taking 32 of 48 podium spots.
In the WAC Championships, Pratt guided the team to a second-place finish with 534 points. Northern Arizona took the team championship for the 12th straight season. In the Pre-Championship Coaches’ Poll, Grand Canyon was picked to finish second, one spot ahead of NM State. However, NM State utilized five first-place showings to finish five points ahead of GCU (529).
During the season, Pratt coached three Aggies to four weekly awards. Dijana Mazumdar won two WAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week honors, with Naomi Slee (Jan. 15) and Emily Dobbins(Feb. 12) each claiming the same award once.
The second-place result was the Aggies’ seventh since 2010 and concluded their stay in the WAC. Next year, coach Pratt and company will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
QUOTABLE | HEAD COACH RICK PRATT
“I’m really proud of our team and staff as well as the accomplishments we had this season. This award is more of a reflection of their hard work and success. I am excited to keep moving forward and hope we are all proud and motivated from not only our awards, but by our positive efforts as a team.”
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