Oct. 7, 2010
Albuquerque, N.M. – This Saturday morning, while many were still enjoying the comfort of their beds, the UNM swimming and diving programs was having fun and making memories.
On Oct. 2, the Lobos hosted their first Alumni meet. The meet began at 9 a.m., and included numerous races between current swimmers and alums, a diving exhibition, and a relay to conclude the festivities.
The atmosphere was nothing but fun as everyone cheered each other on and showed Lobo spirit. Head coach Tracy Ljone was one to not miss out on the fun as she too swam in numerous events. The relay event even had the divers partaking in swimming activity. It was a morning to remember, in which everyone was a Lobo.
Head diving coach Abel Sanchez was pleased with how the meet went overall.
“It was a great showing today. We had a lot of alumni come out and support the event, and we had lots of fun,” he stated. “It’s something that we hope to expand upon for years to come.”
Not only did the meet provide current swimmers a chance to build relationships with the alumni, it gave alumni the chance to interact and socialize with the new generation of Lobo swimming and diving.
Alumna swimmer Katherine Kerr (1992-1996), who comes back to Albuquerque every year for the homecoming festivities, was thrilled at the idea of having a reunion.
“We come back every year around this time and to know that there was going to be a reunion was amazing,” she said. “The reunion was great and it was wonderful to see everybody again.”
She joked around and said that interacting with the new squad was fun, and reminded her of her age.
“While I was talking to the ladies, I realized how young they were,” she said with a laugh. “I graduated 15 years ago so seeing them made me feel a little bit older, but it fills me with joy to see that the tradition is still ongoing. The fact that the ladies enjoy swimming and are good kids makes me proud”
Bobby Goldie who was here from 1991-1995 shared sentiments similar to those of Kerr.
“I loved coming back and seeing familiar faces once again,” he said. “The love that I have for Lobo swimming and my teammates is still strong, and seeing that the tradition is still going puts a smile on my face.”
When asked how it was interacting with Ljone’s current squad, he commented on how he missed the camaraderie and competition.
“Swimming is something that I greatly enjoyed and loved, I still do, but competing at the collegiate level is something that I miss and that I’ll never get to do again,” Goldie said. “Seeing the ladies out here enjoying the atmosphere of swimming and competition is exciting and shows me that the pride and tradition that comes with being a Lobo still runs deep.”
He too was amazed at how young the current swimmers were.
“A lot of the ladies on the team were barely coming into this world when I was swimming and graduating,” he said. “It was different to talk to someone more than ten years younger than me, but it does make me proud to see how dedicated they are.”
Both alumnus stated that they would love to make the trip every year and participate in an event such as this, words sure to please both Ljone and Sanchez who aim at making this event an annual thing.
“With how successful the event was this year we hope that all of the alumni get out there and pass the word on to their friends,” said Sanchez.
If the enthusiasm of the alumni was any indication, the event will only grow with time as the alumni are, and will forever be proud of the honor and tradition that comes with being a Lobo.