Nov. 11, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Lobos Swimming & Diving
Who: Lobos vs. Wyoming, New Mexico State
When/Where: 12 noon, Saturday, UNM’s Seidler Natatorium
Online: Complete results on GoLobos.com
By Richard Stevens — Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
For many who wear the tight caps and the sleek suits, the line at the bottom of the pool becomes a tiresome thing to watch. It becomes a line that represents early-morning hours and miles of hard work.
It was that way for Lobo Jennifer Patterson a time or two, long ago, when there were other things to distract a young girl away from the demands of early-morning water.
“There were times when I just wanted to get away from swimming and do something else,” she said. “And swimming is something you do almost everyday.
“It’s just you and the line at the bottom of the pool and some days you just don’t feel like looking at it. You just don’t feel like going.”
Said Lobo coach Tracy Ljone: “Swimming is a tough sport and most of these girls have been doing it since they were four-years-old. If you are still doing this as a senior in college, you have a lot of fire and drive.”
It’s good for the University of New Mexico Lobos that Patterson still has the fire, still is willing to look at the black line time and time again. Ljone calls Patterson “my most versatile swimmer,” and Patterson’s skill in the water makes the Lobos better in many events.
“I like the 100 butterfly the best,” said Patterson. “It’s a fun stroke for 100 yards and if you feel great in the water, it’s a fun race.”
Patterson had the Lobos’ fastest time last season in the 100-yard butterfly. She was No. 2 on the team in the 200 freestyle and she had UNM’s third-best time in the 100 and 200 backstrokes. The former Sandia High swimmer is a two-time Mountain West Conference scholar and a two-time MWC All-Academic selection.
She raises the Lobos’ status both in and out of the water.
But Patterson also realizes that the long, black line represents so much more than a flip turn at the line’s end . It represents goals, achievement and teammates — lifelong friends.
“That’s what I’ll miss most,” said the University of New Mexico senior. “I love working out with my teammates. I have a lot of fun. My roommates are all on the team.”
Patterson was born and raised in Albuquerque in a family of swimmers. Her mother was her coach at Sandia High and also with the Duke City Aquatics club team. Her older sister swims. Her younger brother swims. “It’s kind of a family thing,” she said. “Even my dad swims now.”
The family thing also is a reason Patterson decided to stay in Albuquerque and become a Lobo. The UNM program allowed her to maintain those family ties. She also liked the family atmosphere surrounding Ljone’s program. There is another bonus, too.
Senior Jennifer Patterson |
“I can go home and do my laundry,” she said. “I do the work, but I use all their stuff.”
Patterson’s drive in her sport can be seen in the water, which also is a tribute to her mom`s coaching. Patterson’s smooth stroke, honed at a young age, would make a seal envious.
“She has some of the most technically sound strokes I’ve ever seen,” said Ljone. “Just gorgeous. What we have been trying to add to that technique is some aggression and strength. She’s really working on it.”
Work isn’t something Patterson shies away from. She is in the UNM nursing school, likely headed toward pediatrics. The combination of nursing and swimming is not an easy mix.
“She is in class sometimes eight hours and day and still comes in and swims,” said Ljone. “She is such a fantastic person and such a fantastic leader for this team.”
Patterson’s goal in the classroom is defined. She wants to nurse children. She has a pool goal, too.
“My goal is to get personal bests in all my races at conference and make the finals,” she said. “I didn’t make them last year. I’m motivated and it will require some hard work.”
Which is no big deal to Patterson. She understands what that requires. She knows the routine. You put on the tight cap and the slick suit. You follow the black line — time and time and time again.