Energy at the Las Cruces Natatorium was high on Saturday, Jan. 31, as rivals New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico came to swim against each other. Not only was the match against two known rivals, but it also marked the final meet for nine of the NMSU Aggies senior swimmers.
The Aggies recognized seniors Kira Brownell, Estel Galo, Dreamer Kowatch, Thea Masselink, Faye McDonagh, Megan Ono, Jamie Puhalski, Katie Rink, and Naomi Slee for their dedication to the NMSU women’s swim team. The Aggies and coaches cheered from the deck as the seniors swam for the last time. This meet highlighted the leadership and passion of the senior swimmers.
“They’re all swimming with great passion, really showing that they want to put everything into every day,” Head coach Rick Pratt said. “They’re going to leave a lasting legacy on our program.”
The team as a whole performed exceptionally well, outswimming the UNM Lobos with a 237-91 win. The NMSU Aggies swept the podium in the 50-meter breaststroke, 50-meter butterfly, 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter breaststroke, 200-meter butterfly, and 500-meter freestyle categories.
Thea Masselink’s 26.13-second time in the 50-meter backstroke is the fastest by any Aggie this year. Her time of 55.47 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke earned her another record for the fastest Aggie time this season.
Faye McDonagh’s time of 56.53 seconds in the 100 Individual medley marks a new program record.
Pratt expressed pride in the team’s daily efforts and overall success, emphasizing the “once an Aggie, always an Aggie” spirit. He said that with the seniors’ leaving, they are leaving a family.
“It’s been super incredible to be with them every step of my college journey, from being my host on my recruiting trip to living with them this past year, just super proud of them,” Junior Captain, Kodi Wiman, praised the energy and dedication of the nine seniors.
“Four years of college swimming isn’t easy, but they’ve all done it so well and are just so proud of them and are gonna miss them so much,” Wiman said.
While there was an emphasis on the senior members at this meet, all swimmers on the team came to win. Several underclassmen stood out across multiple categories.
Addison Pastiak qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Diving Zones with her performance in the platform event, and Dijana Mazumdar’s time of 1:48.46 minutes in the 200-meter freestyle serves as the second fastest time in theMountain Pacific Sports Federation this season.
Although the Aggies aren’t competing at home anymore, the team has a lot ahead for them. NMSU will now prepare for the upcoming MPSF Championship, which is set to take place on Feb. 25-28 in Pharr, Texas, at the City of Pharr-PSJA Natatorium.
