New Mexico vs. Northern Arizona Results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s swimming and diving team picked up its first victory under their new coach as the Lobos defeated Northern Arizona 156.5-140.5 Saturday afternoon at Seidler Natatorium.
However, more importantly to UNM coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker – she saw improvement from her team from their last time out against Wyoming.
“Our goals are pretty simple – first and foremost was to be better than we were against Wyoming,” Tierney-Walker said. “We accomplished that. I definitely saw some improvements in the execution of our races. We were also more aggressive at the front end of our races. It’s getting there – we’re still a work in progress because it’s not perfect yet. But it’s also still October and we feel like we are moving in the right direction.”
The Lobos took 11 of the 16 events Saturday over the Lumberjacks with Adriana Palomino claiming three victories – the 1,000 (10:24.24), 500 (5:01.36) and 200 (1:52.07) freestyle. More impressively, Palomino won the 1,000 and 200 in back-to-back events.
“She handled the back-to-back very well,” Tierney-Walker said. “… It’s just a testament to her training. You are seeing it pay off now.”
Emily McGill won the 100 breaststroke (1:04.70) and the 200 individual medley and also took second in the 200 breaststroke (2:22.19) to teammate Lindsey Englestead (2:21.19) – a race the duo completed eight seconds faster than the next closest finisher.
“On a daily basis they are doing a nice job of working to improve on their endurance and also the little details on their stroke,” Tierney-Walker said of McGill and Englestead. “I think you are starting to see it in their performances.”
Also winning a pair of events for the Lobos was Kaela McKee as she claimed first in both the 100 (57.08) and 200 (2:05.14) backstroke.
Konoha Shinada used a strong final 25 yards to win the 50 free in 23.86, just 0.12 seconds faster than teammate Madison Burns.
The Lobos also won a pair of relays – taking first in the 200 medley (McKee, McGill, Abigail Wheeler and Burns – 1:44.98) and the 400 free (Burns, McKee, Shinada and Palomino – 3:31.16).
Allyson ConcepcionIn diving, Allyson Concepcion set a career high in the 3-meter with 305.78 (the first time she’s broke the 300 mark) while finishing fourth and she finished with a 280.43 in the 1-meter to take third. Both scores qualified her for the NCAA Zones.
Maddie Horner set a personal best on both boards with a 264.23 on the 1-meter and a 251.85 on the 3-meter. She was tantalizingly close to qualifying for the NCAA Zone in the 1-meter as she finished 0.77 points away from the qualifying score of 265.
“The divers had a great performance,” UNM diving coach Julie Weddle said. “We are still growing, but I am very pleased with the direction our team is going.”
The Lobos next compete at the Phill Hansel Invitational starting Nov. 18 in Houston, Texas.