Wyoming 170, New Mexico 130 meet results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Freshman Adriana Palomino won three events, including the grueling 1000- and 200-yard freestyle races back-to-back, but the University of New Mexico swimming and diving team lost its dual meet against the visiting Wyoming Cowgirls 170-130.
“She was definitely the top distance swimmer from Arizona,” UNM head coach Kunio Kono said. “She’s a tough girl. We always ask her and put her in the toughest spot, which is the 1000- and 200-free back-to-back, and she knows exactly what to do. She’s very smart but at the same time she’s one of the toughest girls on the team.”
The Lobos opened the meet with a win in the 200-yard medley relay. Kaela McKee, Kristin Walker Madison Burns and Morgan Ginnis finished in 1:44.29 to get UNM off to a great start. Palomino continued that hot start in the next two races.
She finished the 1000 free in a time of 10:37.46, a full four seconds ahead of her next closest competitor. She then went right back in the water to win the 200 free with a time of 1:54.00.
“I just try to race the person next to me every time,” Palomino said. “I was happy with (my performance). I wanted the team to do well too, so I was really happy with today.”
Other race winners for New Mexico included senior Kristin Walker in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.56), sophomore Morgan Ginnis in the 50 free (23.49), and another freshman, Mareike Foester, in the 200 breaststroke (2:21.37).
“We definitely have a bright future,” Kono said. “We have some great freshmen, but those girls are just pushing the upperclassmen. There is great team bonding right now.”
Palomino’s final win came in the 12th event of the day, the 500 free. After trailing for the first eight legs, she pulled ahead thanks to a pair of sub-30 second splits in the final 100 yards to win with a time of 5:07.80.
Overall, Kono was very pleased with his team’s performance against a tough, determined Wyoming squad.
“I am amazed,” he said. “I think our girls did an amazing job. We’ve never had this many races this close against Wyoming. I think every single girl stepped up big time. I’m very happy.”