ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The UNM swimming and diving team captured its first victory of 2003 today by a decisive score of 142-101 over the Houston Cougars at the Seidler Natatorium in Albuquerque. Lobo swimmers won nine of eleven events, with freshman Robyn Miller and sophomore Aimee Dunavant grabbing two firsts each. The dual meet win puts New Mexico at 6-1 and in a perfect position to overpower conference rival Air Force at home tomorrow.
Robyn Miller continues to shine for the Lobos. The freshman currently leads all UNM swimmers with five top times this season in different events. Miller broke the school record in the 400 IM (4:28.04) at the Indiana Invite in November, slashing the time of 4:30.24 set by Leslie Eide in 1998.
This afternoon, the California native won the 200 free in a time of 1:55.07 as well as clinched first in the 200 back (2:07.75), setting a new personal best in the event by just over two tenths of a second.
Aimee Dunavant, a mainstay in the sprint events, won the 200 fly in a time of 2:11.80, over five seconds faster than the second-place finisher from Houston. She also claimed the first-place spot in the 200 IM ( 2:15.11).
Four other Lobos captured top spots in their respective events as well. Sophomore Nicole Overeem was victorious in her best event, the 1650 free (18:04.28), and was second in the 500 free with a time of 5:18.46. Myra Will displayed her talent for the short distance events by winning the 50 free (24.06) and claiming second in the 100 free (54.74). Kelsey Leckovic finished just ahead of Will in the 100 free with a winning time of 54.46.
Junior Heather DiLuzio was dynamite in the breaststroke, winning the event in 2:26.20.
New Mexico grabbed first place in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:39.93 set by the foursome of Myra Will, Whitney Thomson, Kelsey Leckovic and Robyn Miller.
UNM divers were up against stiff competition today, most notably from Houston’s senior All-American Yulia Pakhalina, who was last year’s NCAA champion on the 3-meter springboard and runner up on the 1-meter. Pakhalina led the pack today in both events, winning the 3-meter with a score of 378.52 and the 1-meter with 247.40 points. Lobos Becca Barras and Kaley Knafelc held their own, finishing fourth and fifth respectively in both events. Barras finished the 3-meter event with 250.96 points, falling just short of third place to Houston’s Veronica Smith, and had a score of 235.80 on the 1-meter. Knafelc scored 214.65 points on the 3-meter and 186.67 points on the 1-meter.
The Lobos return to the Seidler Natatorium tomorrow afternoon when they take on their first MWC opponent of the season, Air Force. Diving begins at noon followed by swimming at approximately 1 p.m. Check back to www.golobos.com tomorrow for full meet results.
UNM vs. Houston(UNM finishers only)
50 Free1. Myra Will24.063. Kelsey Leckovic25.034. Lauren DouBrava25.505. Alison Bushkill25.71
100 Free1. Kelsey Leckovic54.462. Myra Will54.744. Lauren DouBrava55.655. Alison Bushkill56.88
200 Free1. Robyn Miller1:55.073. Becky Matz2:03.494. Carly Jessup2:03.607. Sarah Mele2:17.31
500 Free2. Nicole Overeem5:18.463. Heather Morsilli5:20.514. Lindsay Jeter5:27.746. Julie Melpolder6:07.02
1650 Free1. Nicole Overeem18:04.282. Lindsay Jeter18:08.404. Megan Verbrugge18:24.455. Julie Melpolder6:07.02
200 Back1. Robyn Miller2:07.753. Lindsay Fagrelius2:13.415. Megan Verbrugge2:22.246. Courtney Donovan2:22.65
200 Breast1. Heather DiLuzio2:26.203. Heather Morsilli2:31.99
200 Fly1. Aimee Dunvant2:11.804. Robyn Miller2:20.695. Megan Verbrugge2:25.27
200 IM1. Aimee Dunavant2:15.112. Heather Morsilli2:15.595. Whitney Thomson2:18.05
1-Meter Diving4. Becca Barras235.805. Kaley Kanfelc186.67
3-Meter Diving4. Becca Barras250.965. Kaley Knafelc214.65
200 Free Relay1. UNM A139.933. UNM B1:45.26
200 Medley Relay3. UNM B1:54.444. UNM A1:58.761