Lobos Sign Five for 2019-20 Season

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico women’s swimming and diving team will be adding five swimmers to their roster for the 2019-20 season as five student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their academic and swimming careers at UNM.

All five signees will join the program from high school, two of which are joining from international schools. Listed among the Lobos’ signing class are: Camila Batista (Jacksonville, Fla.), Jia Bertrand (Keller, Texas), Olivia Bishop (Surprise, Ariz.), Andrea Mariscal Guerra (Celaya, Guanajuato) and Nicholle Toh (Singapore, Asia).
 

Camila Batista
Jacksonville, Fla. | The Bolles School
 
Batista will be joining the Lobos in 2019. Originally born in Brazil, the newest Lobo comes to Albuquerque from Jacksonville, Fla. While swimming with The Bolles School Sharks, she helped her team become the state champions in 2018 in the 400-yard freestyle relay and was a finalist in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle. Her high school swim team achieved the distinction of being three-time state champions.
 

Jia Bertrand
Backstroke and Individual Medley
Keller, Texas | Keller HS
 
Bertrand is joining the Lobos after swimming at Keller High School where she won the most valuable swimmer award from 2014-2016. Academically, she is a part of the National Society of High School Scholars. Bertrand also swam for the Lakeside Aquatic Club, Mid-Cities Arlington Swimming, NOVA and North Texas Nadadores.
 
Bertrand plans to study business upon her arrival at UNM.
 
Why UNM: “I chose the University of New Mexico because right when I stepped on campus I knew it would be a perfect fit for me both academically and athletically. Head coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker and assistant coach Matt Benedict were awesome. I feel the training program they offer will definitely help maximize my swimming goals. Go Lobos!”

 
Olivia Bishop
Freestyle
Surprise, Ariz. | Valley Vista HS
 
Bishop comes to UNM from Valley Vista HS where she lettered in swimming and diving. While living in Surprise, Ariz., she swam with the YMCA Westside Silver Fins. She competed in the 50-, 100- and 200- yard freestyle in high school and academically has a 3.8 GPA. This fall she will be studying chemical engineering at the University of New Mexico.
 
Why UNM: “UNM stood out the most to me in the college search, not only because of the workouts, coaches, and academic support, but also because of how welcoming the girls on the team were.”
 

Andrea Mariscal Guerra
Backstroke
Celaya, Guanajuato | Universidad de Celaya

Guerra has experienced much success throughout her swimming career to date. She has won more than 200 national Olympic medals, approximately 50 Mexican records, is a member of the best team in the state of Guanajuato. At the Grand Prix Monterrey in 2017 her team finished second and placed third at the 2018 nationals. She also competed in the Junior Swimming World Championship in 2017 where she set a Mexican record in the 100-meter backstroke. On the club level, Guerra competes in a swimming school called the Orcas Escuela de Natacion.
 
During her free time she volunteers at shelters.
 
Why UNM: “It is an excellent University; I think I will grow a lot both academically and athletically. I also felt the team was a family and they have been very nice to me.”
 

Nicholle Toh
Butterfly
Singapore, Asia | British International School Phuket
 
Toh joins the Lobos with a long list of accolades. During her high school career at the British International School, Toh broke several Swim Academy records. She set records in the 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter free, 50-meter free, 400-meter free and the 100-meter IM. At the 2016 FINA/ airweave Swimming World Cup, she set a national record in the 200-meter butterfly en route to the bronze medal. Her time of 2:11.26 broke a then-16-year-old record. In total she competed in four FINA World Cup meets.
 
This year she has competed in three FINA World Cup meets throughout Asia and Europe and is currently competing in her fourth.
 
She also competed in the 2016 and 2017 Singapore National Championships. She also won the most valuable swimmer award in 2015. Throughout her career she has won eight gold, 11 silver and nine bronze medals.
 
Why UNM: “If you are not willing to risk the usual you’ll have to settle for the ordinary.”- Unknown