THE STARTING BLOCK
With the season a little over two weeks away, the NM State swim and dive team will hit the pool for its first meet of the 2023-24 season.
 
On Wednesday afternoon, the Aggies will take part in the annual Crimson and White meet – an intrasquad meet in which the NM State will split into two teams and battle it out for bragging rights.
 
MEET DETAILS
Wednesday, Sept. 28 – 4 p.m. MT – Crimson & White

• Crimson & White cheer-off to open event
• 12 total events: 200 medley relay, 500 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly, 50 free, 100 back, 200 free, 100 breast, 200 free relay, 1-meter dive, 3-meter dive
• Scoring: 7-0 for relays; 5-3-1 for individual races.

THE AGGIES
This year's squad will consist of 17 returners who will compete alongside nine newcomers. Led by seniors Italia Aranzabal, Lindsay Puhalski, Isabella Cratsenberg and Casey Schmidt, the Aggies will attack a 2023-24 slate that features matchups against WAC foes Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona and Grand Cayon, a pair of duels versus in-state rival New Mexico and a trip to take on Power Five program TCU.
 
The Aggies are coming off a season in which it finished fifth at the WAC Championships in late February. While in Pharr, Texas, three Aggies secured First Team All-WAC honors while another five individuals and three relay teams earned Second Team All-WAC honors. Freshman standout Naomi Slee had a breakout weekend as she tallied podium finishes in the 500 free, 200 free and the mile. Meanwhile, Lindsay Puhalski also added three medals to her substantial collection – finishing in the top three in the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 back. Lastly, sprinter Aimee Burton closed out her Aggie career with podium placements in both the 50 free and 100 free.
 
NEXT UP
Following its Wednesday, the team will prepare to host its first dual meet of the season. On Saturday, Oct. 14, NM State welcomes Northern Colorado for a showdown between the two squads at the NM State Swimming & Diving Complex.