HOUSTON – New Mexico State swimming and diving continued with the second day of the WAC Championships in Houston. The team slipped to fifth after the second day of completion. 

"Today, we knew was our weakest day and we missed some preliminary opportunities this morning," head coach Rick Pratt said. "Despite that, we had some really tough swims tonight especially from Picabo Bender."

In the 500-yard free finals, Bender swam 4:53.46 to finish second. Lillian Araujo finished ninth as she clocked in at 4:56.95.

Lauren Wood finished tenth in the 200-yard IM. The sophomore finished with a time of 2:04.27. Barbora Krizanova scored in the event as well as she clocked in at 2:05.66.

The 200 yard-freestyle relay swam the second fastest time in school history. The team, made up of Ruby Rodriguez, Lauryn Dean, Makena Sutherland, and Johanna Petersson, clocked in at 1:33.93. It was the first time all four swimmers competed in the event at the WAC Championships.

Abigail Watson placed eighth in the 1-meter springboard finals. The junior finished with a score of 237.95.

"Tomorrow is a huge day for us. We're going to have to dig in our heels and fight," Pratt said.

New Mexico State continues with the WAC Championships on Friday. The first session begins at 10:30 a.m. with swimming preliminaries.