DENVER – The University of New Mexico swimming and diving team concluded its season-opening three-day trek through Colorado with a third-place finish at the University of Denver relay meet. The Lobos finished with 170 points, finishing behind Wyoming (276) and the host Pioneers (248), but placing well ahead of Northern Colorado (84) and the Colorado School of Mines (36).
Despite fielding a team of just 14 swimmers, the Lobos competed throughout the meet and pleased head coach Kunio Kono.
“We had only 14 girls, but Wyoming had like 40 girls and Denver had about 25, so our girls swam double of what the other teams did,” he said. “We swam really well, finished strong, and made it through the four hours of competition. I was very happy with how they did this weekend.”
It was the third meet in as many days for UNM, which defeated Colorado State and Air Force the previous two nights.
“The three days went way better than I thought they would,” Kono said. “I thought Colorado State would be tough because they were at home, but we pulled out the last relay and won. We did a great job as a team. The girls were cheering each other on and swimming well.”
After holding on to defeat the Rams, the Lobos went out and topped that on Friday evening at Air Force.
“Usually when we go to Air Force we lose because we’re at 7,200 feet,” Kono said. “But we had an even better performance. I was amazed by our toughness and how well we performed.”
On Saturday the Lobos consistently placed third and fourth with a best finish of second in the 400 yard 4 x 100 IM. Abigail Wheeler, Emily McGill, Emily Huffer and Mareike Foester combined to post a time of 4:06.72, while UNM’s second team of Kristin Walker, Anna Lengyel, Amelie Braul and Carol De Groote Tavares placed fourth at 4:11.76. Overall, the Lobos’ top finish was never worse than fourth in any race all afternoon.
New Mexico now has two weeks off before hosting its first home meet of the season on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 12 p.m. at the Seidler Natatorium versus Wyoming. The Lobos will then hose Northern Colorado the following Saturday at 11 a.m. in their final home meet of the fall.