Lobos Edge Lumberjacks 154-145

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico swimming and diving team returned to action Saturday with a dual meet at Northern Arizona, and the Lobos managed to eke out a 154-145 win after claiming 27 points in the final two events of the day. It was a gutty win for the Lobos in their first team competition since November, especially considering the Lumberjacks’ pool is in meters and not yards like UNM is used to swimming.
“Our girls did a great job today,” UNM head coach Kunio Kono said. “It’s always tough to swim here at 7,000 feet. Plus Northern Arizona is very talented. But our girls stepped up, especially in the last two events. The 200 IM win was a game-changer. It gave us hope to win.”
The 200 meter IM was the second-to-last race of the day, and Emily McGill, Mareike Foester and Carol De Groote Tavares finished in that order to put UNM in front. Then Shayla King, Amelie Braul, Adriana Palomino and Morgan Ginnis won the 400 meter freestyle relay with a time of 3:54.03 to give the Lobos the victory.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” said Kono. “They all swam very well.”
Kaela McKee, Kristin Walker, Madi Burns and Ginnis got the Lobos off to a good start with a victory in the first event, the 200 meter medley relay, with a time of 1:56.46. Emily Huffer, Foester, Abigail Wheeler and King claimed second with a time of 1:59.03. Palomino kept UNM’s hot start going by winning the 800 meter freestyle in 9:11.39. She also later won the 400 meter freestyle with a time of 4:29.45.
McKee won the 100 meter backstroke by nearly two full seconds, touching the wall in 1:03.64, before the Lobos swept the top three spots in the 50 meter freestyle: Ginnis (26.42), King (27.06) and Madi Burns (27.11).
In addition to her 200 IM win, McGill also claimed the fastest time in the 200 breaststroke (2:39.96).
“We had a good all-around meet, but there are still lessons we can learn and use to improve as we tune up for the conference championship,” Kono said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction, though.”
UNM’s final dual meet of the season will be next Saturday at the Seidler Natatorium. The Lobos will celebrate their three seniors, King, Walker and Lauren Tininenko, on Senior Day when it hosts New Mexico State at noon.
“We have a big weekend next week against New Mexico State,” said Kono. “It’s the final dual meet for our seniors in their college careers. We’ll be ready and New Mexico State will be ready. We’re looking forward to it.”