ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- It came down to the final relay, and North Texas won by 0.49 seconds, giving the Mean Green a 126-117 win over New Mexico in a terrific showing for UNM, which won six of the 13 events. Newcomers Liv O’Mahony and Elsa Reel each won two events, highlighting the card for UNM.
The meet came down to the final relay, as North Texas held a slim 115-111 lead, meaning whichever team won the final 200 free relay would win the meet. The race led off with Liv O’Mahony of UNM against Viv Anderson, and Anderson opened a lead of 0.44 seconds, but Liv Hann cut into that as UNM got to within 0.05 at the midway point.
However, Scarlett McCloud and Janci Pangburn of North Texas held off a late charge from Arianna Stokes and Ava Schlosser to win the race 1:35.41 to 1:34.90, giving North Texas the win by half a second.
For Lobo head coach Naya Higashijima, UNM’s veteran leadership showed up. “Our five seniors have led our team by exemplifying our five core values: Gratitude, Dedication, Accountability, Resiliency, and Positivity. They have not only elevated their own training but have also challenged our entire team to uphold higher standards every day.”
For UNM, that challenge led to a standout day for several Lobo newcomers, with O’Mahony and Reel each recording two wins. O’Mahony, a first-year sprinter from Wigton, England, won the 100 and 200 free. Reel, another first-year Lobo from Chrisoval, Texas, won the 100-yard breast and the 200 IM.
Also picking up wins for UNM was veteran Arianna Stokes, who has been UNM’s best short sprinter for the past two years. She picked up right where she left off last year, winning the 50 in 24.40. Carlsbad native Sophia Corder also won the 100-fly, beating Jette Schindler by nearly a minute.
North Texas took both diving wins in the 1-meter and 3-meter, with UNM’s All-Mountain West diver Alice English unavailable. Rithika Colvin, in her stead, finished second in the 3-meter and third in the 1-meter.
“I’m proud of our team for laying the foundation of hard work that will pay dividends at the end of the season,” said Higashijima. “UNT is a great team, and I thought we raced very well against them. How well we competed today is a testament to the quality of work everyone is putting in day after day”
The Lobos return to action quickly as UNM hosts UTRGV on Friday, October 16, at 2 p.m. at Seidler Natatorium. The meet is free for all fans, and those who can’t make it can sign up for MW+, the home of Lobo Sports. MW+ subscriptions benefit UNM and the swimming and diving program, and fans can sign up at golobos.com/watch.