Albuquerque, N.M. – The University of New Mexico swimming and diving team is getting set to participate in its first meet of the season on Oct. 17 and a two-day event on Oct 18-19. The team will travel first to Laramie, Wyo. to take on the Cowgirls on Thursday before setting off for Fort Collins, Colo. to take part in the Early Bird Invite, hosted by Colorado State, on Friday and Saturday.
Last season, the Lobo swimming and diving team finished 3-4 in the Mountain West Conference which gave them sixth place overall. At the MWC Championships, a remarkable seven school records were broken, three of which were in the relays, while the other four were individual times. Returning sophomore Nicole Overeem broke two records on the final day of the championships, setting a school best time of 16:59.59 in the 1650 freesyle and another in the 1000 freestyle, 10:14.59. The second one was good enough to break the time graduating senior Sandra Colburn set at the 2001 MWC Championships.
With fourteen new faces this year, comprising more than half of the team, Lobo head coach Bill Spahn and assistant coach Lindsie Micko believe the freshmen class is bound to make an impact this season. In particular, Spahn sees newcomers Whitney Thomson (Allen, Texas), Robyn Miller (Napa, Calif.), Heather Morsilli (San Ramon, Calif.) and Kelsey Leckovic (Burnaby, B.C.) as the top freshmen swimmers in a number of categories, including strength, speed, natural talent and work ethic.
“These four are all extremely versatile and skilled. This weekend we’ll be able to get a feel for which events they fit into the best. We’re very excited to see exactly what these swimmers can do for us this year,” said Spahn.
Also returning to the squad is senior Myra Will who is undoubtedly UNM’s top sprinter. She was a 2002 finalist in the 50 freestyle and was also a valuable asset to the relay teams. Among a talented group of juniors is standout swimmer Heather DiLuzio who is the team leader in the breaststroke and has a chance this year to be the school record-holder in the 200 breast.
The Lobos’ top swimmer overall, sophomore Nicole Overeem, is also expected to make waves this year after her record-breaking times in 2002. Overeem is already swimming better than she was at the end of last season and can be counted on to be a force in the distance events this year.
New Mexico’s divers may be one of the strongest components of this year’s team. Sophomore Becca Barras and junior Tracey Berghian combined for 96 of the 400 Lobo points at the 2002 MWC Championships. The duo finished in the the top five in all three events and are expected to finish even better this season with the possibility of 1-2 in the MWC.
The Oct. 17 meet at Wyoming and the Early Bird Invite in Ft. Collins, Colo. (Oct. 18-19) are scheduled as all-day events. Times and meet summaries will be posted at the conclusion of each day.
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