PHARR, Texas – Following a strong regular season campaign, the NM State swimming and diving program begins its final journey as they prepare for the 2024 WAC Championships at the Pharr Natatorium in Pharr, Texas.
 
Wednesday morning will commence the championship meet with the Aggies hopeful in their quest for their first WAC Championship. This could be a tough task as Northern Arizona is coming off its 10^th straight WAC title and will enter the week as the favorites to continue its streak following a vote of the league's eight head coaches.
 
LAST TIME OUT | NM State 198, New Mexico 93

• The Aggies will enter the championship with some momentum after earning a dominant 198-93 victory over I-25 rival New Mexico to mark their second win over the Lobos this season.
• In the Aggies' fifth consecutive win over the Lobos, they collected 14 first-place finishes and notched 38 podium placements across 16 events.
• The day began with a win in the 200 medley relay as Thea Masselink, Kodi Wiman, Lindsay Puhalski and Kathryn Gyde combined to post a time of 1:46.07.
• Katie Rink was the first individual to secure a first-place finish in their most recent dual meet – winning the 1000 free with a time of 10:33.48.
• Additionally, the Aggies swept the podium in the 200 free, 50 free, 100 back, 100 breast and 200 back.

 
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
Entering the meet, the Aggies bring with them times in six different events which rank among the five fastest in the WAC this season. This list is highlighted by Naomi Slee who holds two of the speediest times in the WAC, including being responsible for the second-fastest time in the 500 free (4:48.26).
 
Additionally, Lindsay Puhalski will look to cap off her incredible Aggie career with yet another solid showing at the WAC Championships. This season, Puhalski has posted three times which rank inside the top five in the league, including holding the third-fastest time in the 400 individual medley. During her time as an Aggie, Puhalski has compiled 11 medals across three WAC Championships, including five individual podium finishes in the last two years.
 
Last season, the Aggies also swam to six new school records while tallying podium finishes in nine events not including a first-place finish in the exhibition team diving event.
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The championship meet will consist of 21 total events, including 16 individual events. On Wednesday, the programs will compete in the three-meter dive, the 200-yard medley relay and the 800 free relay. The second day of competition will include the one-meter dive, the 200 free relay, the 500 free, the 200 IM and the 50 free. Friday's list of events includes the 400 IM, the 100 butterfly, the 200 free, the 100 breast, the 100 back and the 400 medley relay. The final day of the event will include the 1650 free, the 200 back, the 100 free, the 200 breast and the 200 fly while the team's conclude the championship with the 400 free relay.
 
QUOTABLE | HEAD COACH RICK PRATT
"This is always an intense and exciting week for our program. Our young group has worked hard and sacrificed much for this moment and we're ready to get out and celebrate the journey. To be successful we've got to take one event and session at a time."
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans looking to track the Aggies' performances this week can tune in to watch the prelims on WACInternational.tv with finals being shown live each day on ESPN+.
 
Watch Links
Wednesday, February 28
Prelims (Session One) - WATCH
Prelims (Session Two) - WATCH
Finals (U.S. Viewers) - WATCH
Finals (International Viewers) - WATCH
 
Thursday, February 29
Prelims (Session One) - WATCH
Prelims (Session Two) - WATCH
Finals (U.S. Viewers) - WATCH
Finals (International Viewers) - WATCH
 
Friday, March 1
Prelims (Session One) - WATCH
Prelims (Session Two) - WATCH
Finals (U.S. Viewers) - WATCH
Finals (International Viewers) - WATCH
 
Saturday, March 2
Prelims (Session One) - WATCH
Prelims (Session Two) - WATCH
Finals (U.S. Viewers) - WATCH
Finals (International Viewers) - WATCH
 
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