HOUSTON – NM State Swimming & Diving returns to the pool this week, as the Aggies head to the Bayou City for the Phill Hansel Invitational hosted by the University of Houston. The three-day meet begins on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and runs through Friday, Nov. 21. The Aggies finished in sixth place at the event last year and look to improve on that placement this year. The event will play host to a familiar foe as New Mexico will also be competing in meet alongside a multitude of squads. Head Coach Rick Pratt's group looks to find their rhythm after a one-point defeat at the hands of Grand Canyon nearly two weeks ago.
 
WHAT TO KNOW
Who: NM State at Phill Hansel Invitational
Where: CRWC Natatorium– Houston, Texas
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Friday, Nov. 21
Live Stats: Meet Mobile
Dive Results: divemeets.com
Stream: 
Day 1 Prelims
Day 1 Finals
Day 2 Prelims
Day 2 Finals
Day 3 Prelims
Day 3 Finals
 
Head Coach Rick Pratt, on the meet: "We have a huge challenge this week filled with great opportunities. To face ten teams in this invitational format will allow us to see where we're at halfway through the season and practice the format for our MPSF Championship meet. We've had a very strong cycle of heavy training and should be well prepared to see some great performances. Overall, we're excited to get started and compete!"
 
2025 Phill Hansel Invitational Schedule
Wednesday: 200 Freestyle Relay, 500 Freestyle, 200 IM, 50 Freestyle, 400 Medley Relay, 1-Meter Diving
 
Thursday: 200 Medley Relay, 100 Butterfly, 400 IM, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 800 Freestyle Relay, 3-Meter Diving
 
Friday: 1650 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, 400 Freestyle Relay, Platform Diving
 
Participants: Air Force, Colorado State, Florida Gulf Coast, Houston, Nevada, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Rice, San Jose State, Tulane, Vanderbilt
 
LAST TIME OUT
On Nov. 8, the Aggies traveled to Grand Canyon for a meet highlighted by the matchup of NM State and Grand Canyon. Meanwhile, Arizona Christian, Ottawa University (AZ) and Simon Fraser also competed in the Valley of the Sun. NM State fell by a margin of 102-103 to GCU, but took home comfortable wins against the rest of the field. NM State claimed 15 podium spots including four event victories across 11 races in Phoenix. 
 
A day prior, the Aggies fell to Northern Arizona in Flagstaff by a score of 108.5-191.5. NM State left with five first-place finishes and 16 podium placements on the day. 
 
NEW CONFERENCE, SAME MISSION
The Aggies joined the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in July, bidding farewell to the WAC after standing as NM State's final program remaining in the conference. The MPSF houses many familiar faces, including California Baptist, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, UTRGV and Utah Tech. Pepperdine, Incarnate Word and Pacific and are the only three returning members of the conference, with the Waves lifting the 2024-25 trophy earlier this year. 
 
THE COACH OF A GENERATION
Rick Pratt entered his 21^st season with NM State this fall, but 2025 is his first outside of the WAC. Last year, Pratt guided the program to its best year on record, finishing 8-1 with four wins in five league dual meets. The Aggies racked up five gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the WAC Championships, earning a second-place finish for the seventh time in the past 10 seasons. 
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies will head to Denton, Texas, for a dual meet against North Texas on Dec. 19. NM State toppled the Eagles last year by a score of 138-104 in Las Cruces. The Saturday dual meet will be held at the Pohl Recreation Center & PEB Natatorium, with the action slated to begin at 11:00 AM MT. 
 
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