In its only home competition of the spring semester, the UNM swimming and diving team captured its ninth straight dual victory over in-state rival New Mexico State on Saturday.
The Lobos won two of three dual meets during the 2014-15 season, the other victory coming last Halloween against Northern Colorado. UNM will have a divers-only meet next week at the Air Force Academy with the Mountain West Championships on the horizon.
“Our kids did everything they could to help us win today,” head coach Kunio Kono in the release. “I saw a lot of personal bests and season bests today. A lot of girls are very happy today, and I’m excited for them. I think in my four years here this is one of our best performances.”
Against NMSU, UNM found wins in several events.
Senior Lauren Tininenko put forth her best performance as a Lobo to boost UNM to a 153-142 win over the Aggies. Tininenko won both the 50-yard freestyle in 24.13 seconds and 100 freestyle in 52.79.
Adriana Palomino claimed two consecutive events: the 1,000 freestyle in 10:25.92 and the 200 freestyle in 1:41.44.
Carol De Groote Tavares finished first in the 100 backstroke in 57.34, Emily Huffer took the 200 butterfly in 2:01.42, Deidra Dorough clocked 2:04.59 for first in the 200 backstroke and Emily McGill won the 400 individual medley in 4:28.65.
Diver Allyson Concepcion inched closer to NCAA qualification in the 1-meter and 3-meter events with scores of 273.53 and 280.20, respectively.
Saturday marked Senior Day for three swimmers: Tininenko, Shayla King and Kristin Walker.
Walker swam the second leg of UNM’s primary 400 medley relay team that clocked 3:45.36 and the third leg on the 400 freestyle relay “C” team that finished in 3:35.79.
King competed on the anchor leg on the UNM’s secondary 400 medley relay team that finished in 3:47.07. UNM went 1-2 in that event.
“Shayla, Lauren and Kristin all swam very well today,” Kono said in a statement. “Shayla and Lauren both turned in personal bests. Those three girls are our leaders. They are the heart and soul of this team, and they did an amazing job.”
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J.R. Oppenheim is the assistant sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers men’s basketball and women’s soccer. Contact him at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @JROppenheim.
