LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's swimming and diving team officially released its 2018-19 schedule. The Aggies host two meets in the fall and three in the spring while competing in 10 total meets.
 
"Our schedule for the upcoming season is going to give our group many challenges and opportunities," said head coach Rick Pratt. "It is a very difficult schedule with some tough travel meets and strong opponents. However, our home meets in the later part of the season should give us some balance and help us prepare for a strong finish at Western Athletic Conference Championships."
 
NM State opens its season with the annual Crimson and White meet on Sept. 26 at the New Mexico State Swimming and Diving Complex. The Aggies start the regular-season at home against Liberty on Oct. 5-6 before hitting the road to take on Wyoming on Oct. 12. Their first Western Athletic Conference meet takes place at Northern Colorado on Oct. 13. The Aggies then play host to CSU Pueblo on Oct. 18 before resuming conference competition at Northern Arizona (Nov. 16-17). The fall season wraps up with a trip to the Lancer Invite in Riverside, Calif. on Dec. 14-15.
 
"Starting the season with an excellent Liberty program will be a motivating beginning," said Pratt. "Then to head up to Colorado the following week to face two good programs up there is always a challenge. Our early season preparations are going to have to be very strong. The two three-session meets against NAU and then at Cal Baptist will give us lots of quality racing to finish off the calendar year, then to have three strong dual meets at home should also give us an advantage headed into the WAC Championships."
 
New Mexico State begins the spring season with a conference home date against Idaho on Jan. 5. Battle of I-25 Rival New Mexico visits Las Cruces on Jan. 19. The Aggies then travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. for the AFA Diving Invite on Feb. 1-2 before wrapping up the regular-season at home against Grand Canyon (Feb. 9).
 
"Overall I think our schedule will help prepare us for the WAC Championship meet and give us many chances to strengthen our team," Pratt said. "Our expectations are high and with a large senior class I am confident we have the leadership and talent to have a historical season."
 
The Aggies won five dual meets last season, including a second-place finish at the WAC Championships. NM State returns 22 members from last season and 3-of-4 members of the WAC champion 400-yard Relay Medley; Hanna McGowan, Reagan Nentwich and Alix Knagg. McGowan also added individual championships in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke. NM State divers Raina Brommer and MacKinna Hauff are set for strong senior years after competing in the 2018 NCAA Diving Zones in Flagstaff, Ariz.
 
All fans receive free admission to Aggie meets at the NM State Swimming and Diving Complex.