Nov. 20, 2011
HOUSTON, TEXAS – The UNM swimming team once again found success in the pool at the Phill Hansel Cougar Classic in Houston this weekend as it broke 5 school records.
Last year when the Lobos participated in the Invitational 3 school records were broken: the 100-yard butterfly, 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle. Those same three records were broken once again in addition to the 100-yard breaststroke.
Jorgi Hobson, who broke the record in the 100-yard butterfly in 2010 with a time of 55.92, lowered her time in the event twice in Houston. She first lowered her time in the preliminary round of the event with a time of 55.46; her time of 55.51 in the finals gave her a fourth place finish.
Monica Dudley, who also broke records in the 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle in 2010 with times of 10:12.99 and 16:56.83, respectively broke three school records this past weekend. She lowered her times in the 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle by .07 and 6.9 seconds respectively. Dudley also set a new record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:54.38, breaking a six year record set by former Lobo Robyn Milller.
“The team swam great,” said Head Coach Tracy Ljone. “The entire team had fast swims and really stepped up to the competition. This meet was extremely fast this year but our ladies did a nice job of swimming fast in the morning to make the finals at night.”
There was a number of Lobos that stood out at the invitational including: Hayley Martin, Alyssa Keill, Anna Dankwardt-Lillistrom, Tesse Macjieko and Stelicia Flores.
Ashley Blanchette also broke a school record in her event, the 100-yard breaststroke. Her time of 1:04.53, which she swam in the preliminary round, broke the record previously held by Carly Hilo.
“This was a perfect meet for the midpoint of our season and only makes the second half more exciting to start,” said Ljone. “We will get back to some hard training and start preparing for our last few dual meets and our conference championships.”
On the first day of competition, the 200-yard freestyle relay team of Tesse Maciejko, Heidi Zeiger, Jorgi Hobson and Anna Lillistrom placed fourth with a time of 1:35.39. Thursday was also when Dudley broke the school record in the 500-yard freestyle.
The 400-yard medley relay team of Flores, Lindsey Morris, Hobson and Lillistrom finished sixth with a time of 3:50.16
The second day of competition was also a strong showing for the Lobos.
Jogi Hobson, Heidi Zeiger, Stelicia Flores and Ashley Blanchette placed fourth in the 200-yard Medley Relay touching the wall in 1:45.00 flat
Blanchette and Hayley Martin finished first and second in the B Finals of the 100-yard breaststroke, placing them eighth and ninth overall. Martin swam the event in 1:04.73.
“I am very happy with our performances this weekend,” said Ljone. “The competition was much faster and stronger than last year but it was a great preparation for The MW champs in February. Our ladies really stepped it up and swam fast in the morning in order to make it back to finals.”
Up next for New Mexico is a dual meet against conference for San Diego State Dec. 3 in San Diego at noon MT.