LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State swimming and diving team signed eight new Aggies, head coach Rick Pratt announced on Friday. The Aggies added six swimmers and three divers for 2021-22.
 
"There were many challenges in recruiting for next year's class during these times with the Pandemic," said Pratt. "I think we did a great job in getting to know our recruits and finding great individuals despite that.  Most of these athletes are a little under the radar as they did not get to compete much last spring, however we are very excited about their potential.  They all have the character and drive to succeed and take their swimming and diving to the next level in our program.  They are all also tremendous students and people who are going to represent our University at the highest level and strengthen our already positive culture."

Grace Pino | Albuquerque, N.M.
Grace will become the fifth member of her family to swim for the Aggies as her father Tom, uncle Ron, and Aunts Regina and Elaine all are NM State Alumni.  She specializes in the breastroke and IM events and has had successful swimming careers with Lobo Aquatics and Sandia High School. 
 
"We are so proud to have Grace join our team.  She has amazing energy and the personality and work ethic to make a strong impact on our team.  She is a talented swimmer and will add depth and quality to our strong breastroke group.  She is a proud Aggie and someone that we cannot wait to work with." 

PBs: 100 Breast (1:05.00), 200 Breast (2:23.11)
 
Elizabeth Cervantes-Vanderlugt | Las Cruces, NM
Elizabeth "Izzy" will join the Aggies after a successful swimming career with Las Cruces High School and Las Cruces Aquatics Team.  She will specialize in middle distance free and backstroke and will be studying HRTM in the college for Agriculture. 
 
"It has been very special to watch Izzy develop and grow as a swimmer with our local swimming teams, it will be exciting to watch that continue with our program.  She has a tremendous work ethic, kindness, and the potential to make positive impact on our program in many ways," said Pratt.
 
PBs:  100 free (55.23), 100 back (59.85)
 
Millie Sicko | Phoenix, Ariz.
Millie is a talented Butterflier and Distance Freestyle who has had successful a career with the Phoenix Swim Club, the Anthem Dolphins and Arcadia High School. 
 
"Millie has a strong work ethic, is a great student, and has the character and talent to make a strong impact to our program in many ways.  We are thrilled to have her join our team next fall and she will help add depth to our distance and butterfly group," Pratt said.  
 
PBs: 200 fly (2:05.98), 500 free (5:10.64), mile (17:33.64)
 
Emilee Ferrari | Annandale, Va.
Emilee Ferrari will return to Las Cruces to join the Aggies as a talented sprinter with the potential to be a great asset in the Freestyle and Backstroke events.  Emilee started her swimming as part of the Las Cruces Aquatic Team when she was a child.  She has developed into a highly competitive sprinter with the Nations Capital Swim Club and WT Woodson High School. 
 
"It's been really fun to get to know Emilee during this process and to bring her back to New Mexico State to continue her swimming where it started when she was younger.  Emilee is tall, athletic and has great energy.  She has the potential to be a strong sprinter with our veteran group next season," said Pratt.
 
PBs:  50 free (24.05), 100 free (52.65)
 
Lina Khiyara:  Perron Liege, Belgium
Lina is another Aggie to come to Las Cruces from Europe with strong experience to make an immediate impact.  Lina specializes in the middle distance Freestyle events and will contribute at the WAC level and help the Aggies with relays and much more.
 
"It has been great to get to know Lina during this process and her personality and work ethic are going to impact our team in many ways.  She has solid technique and skills that should translate to yards from meters easily and I am excited to see what she can to at the NCAA level," Pratt said.
 
PBs:  100 free (57.82scm), 200 free (2:02.02scm), 400 free (4:25.64scm)
 
Isabella Cratsenberg | Bellingham, Wash.
Bella is another very talented swimmer to attend NM State from the Pacific Northwest.  She will make an immediate impact for the Aggies in multiple events specifically Freestyle and Individual Medley.  Bella has had a very successful career with the Bellingham Bay Swim Team.
 
"Bella is a mature, hard-working and a fun Lady who we are very excited to have on our team.  She swims everything well and has the potential to make an immediate impact for us and go very far in our sport.  She is an ambitious student and someone who has the character to train and compete at the highest level," Pratt said.
 
PBs: 100 free (52.43), 200 free (1:52.79), 500 free (5:06.03), 200 IM (2:08.70)
 
Kate Malinowski | Mahtomedi, Minn.
Kate is a talented diver after spending time diving at Mahtomedi High School and North Star Diving Club. She was a gymnast for 12 years and reached Level 10 before transitioning over to the sport of diving. Even though she is still new to the sport, her gymnastics background has helped her to develop quickly as a diver. She has most of her experience on the 1 meter and 3 meter springboard but is beginning to gain experience on platform as well. She has the 7^th all-time score on 1 meter for her high school, and finished 6^th overall at sectionals this past year.
 
"Kate has a great energy and kind-hearted spirit. She is a hard worker and is excited to continue gaining experience and improving her level of difficulty on all boards.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue getting to know Kate and have the opportunity to coach her and help her reach her full potential in the sport of diving during her time here at New Mexico State University," said Pratt.
 
Casey Schmidt | Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Casey is set to make an impact from the time she steps on campus. Casey was a gymnast for 10 years before transitioning to diving, and competing 1 meter, 3 meter, and some platform. Casey also participates Cross Country for Olmsted Falls High School and earned Rookie of the year for her CC team as well as Most Valuable Diver during her junior year. She broke her high school 6 dive and 11 dive school records.
 
"It has been such a pleasure getting to know Casey throughout the recruiting process. She always has a positive outlook and she is ready to work, hard, increase degree of difficulty, and represent the Aggies well upon her arrival next fall. I am excited to be adding her to our swim and dive program, and she is thrilled to be an Aggie next year," said Pratt.
 
Erin Orn | Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Erin is the third diver joining the Aggies in the fall of 2021. Erin also trains 1 meter, 3 meter and platform diving. She has been able to continue to improve during her high school season at Simley High School. She has received two all-conference recognitions, been a section finalist for all four years and a state qualifier for three years. She also competed high school gymnastics for three years at Simley.
 
"Erin comes from a great family who I have had the pleasure to get to know through this process. She has a great energy about her that will be a great addition to our program. She has a great work ethic that will add to what we are building here at New Mexico State," Pratt said.