Lobos Fall to Mountain West Rival 159-64

Reno, Nev. – The University of New Mexico swimming and diving team lost to Nevada by a score of 159-64 on Saturday in their return to conference play. Saturday’s meet in Reno, Nev., was the team’s first dual meet since the double-dual with Air Force and Colorado State on Dec. 3.

With this loss, the Lobos (2-6, 0-4 MW) dropped their third straight Mountain West Conference meet and fourth overall. The Wolf Pack (6-1, 2-1 MW) won their second conference meet of the season.

The Lobos won just one event in this weekend’s dual, courtesy of a dominant swim by freshman Maya Clise in the 500-yard freestyle (5:13.72). Not only did she take first, but the Lobos swam well as a team in the event, with sophomore Paige Lyons (5:22.42) and senior Josie Carpenter (5:25.19) placing third and fourth, respectively.

The 500-yard freestyle was by far New Mexico’s best showing of the meet as they placed as high as even second place in just two other individual events.

Clise also swam well in her second individual event of the meet, placing second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.77), just two events after her victory in the 500-free. Senior Ola Tomaszek finished just behind her, placing third in the event (1:07.39).

Sophomore Brynn Quintana placed second in the 200-yard freestyle in the second event of the day (1:59.75) to help the Lobos stay within reach after Nevada’s win in the 200-yard medley relay.

Junior Kristen Hepfer was the Lobos’ top finisher in both of the diving events of the day, finishing in fifth place off both the 1-meter board (237.00) and the 3-meter board (264.60).

New Mexico will look to rebound from this meet and snap their losing streak this upcoming weekend with a home dual against rival New Mexico State. The meet is set to begin at 11:30am on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Seidler Natatorium at the Johnson Center in Albuquerque.