The New Mexico State University Aggies headed up north for the always antipated battle of I-25 against the University of New Mexico Lobos and recorded their fourth-straight win after posting 172 points compared to UNM’s 123.
The Lobos took the lead early on with a win in the 200-yard medley relay, but the Aggies were hot on their tail with both Aggie relay teams placing on the podium. Leading the 2nd-place team was senior Lindsay Puhalski followed by freshmen Taylor Craft, Emily Dobbins and sophomore Kathryn Gyde. Heading up the third-place team was sophomore Thea Masselink assisted by freshman Foteini Charitou, sophomores Faye McDonagh and Kira Brownell.
After the Lobos took an early lead, the Aggies retaliated when sophomore Katie Rink answered the call taking the 1000-yard free followed by sophomore Estel Galo in second to put the Aggies in the lead. The Aggies continued to dominate in the distance events and swept the podium in 200-yard free with L. Puhalski in first with sophomore Naomi Slee less than a second behind and junior Dreamer Kowatch a stroke after. Keeping the momentum going, Dobbins claimed the 100-yard back while Masselink secured second in backstroke to increase the Aggies’ lead to 25.
The Aggies’ pulled their fourth straight win after Craft snagged the 100-breaststroke. The effort continued as Galo grabbed the fifth win finished two seconds ahead of second place sophomore Ellen Osthelder. The Lobos hoped to catch up in the 50-yard free with a first place, but the Aggies cumulatively out-placed them. Rink snatched second place, followed by Brownell and freshman Callie Ceshker picked up the last two points for fourth place.
In diving, freshman Mira Tinai was the lone Aggie to dive but solitified two silvers in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives.
Going into the second half of the meet, the Aggies maintained the lead after Dobbins and Kowatch nabbed second and third in the 100-free. The Aggies buckled down to nab five more first-place finishes. L. Puhalski secured the first win in the 200-yard backstroke with Masselink in second. Freshman Kodi Wiman came to play and took the 200-yard breaststroke followed by Charitou. Heading into the 500-yard free, the Aggies had a 50-point lead and pulled another sweep.
The Aggies contined to dominate in the 500-yard, with Rink pulling in her second gold, Slee with silver and Galo with bronze.
In the last few events, McDonagh sped through the 100-yard fly for another first place finish, L. Puhalski grabbed her third first place finish in the 200-yard IM with freshman Riley Crespo in third. Despite not making the podium in the 400-yard freestyle relay, the Aggies had their win cemented and overpowered their rivals. 172-123
Coming off their win, the Aggies will divide and conquer with the divers heading to the Northern Arizona University Diving Invite on Friday, Nov. 17 while the swimmers head to Iowa City, Iowa for the Hawkeye Invitational on Thursday, Nov. 30.
