FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – NM State Swimming & Diving returns to the pool this weekend, taking on a pair of opponents in Arizona. The Aggies will first square off against Northern Arizona before heading to Phoenix a day later for a clash with Grand Canyon. The two schools sandwiched NM State at the top of the WAC Championships leaderboard last spring, with NAU taking its 12^th straight crown. Head Coach Rick Pratt's group looks to get back on track after a close loss to Northern Colorado two weekends ago. 
 
WHAT TO KNOW
Who: NM State at NAU
Where: Wall Aquatic Center – Flagstaff, Ariz.
When: Friday, Nov. 7 (1:00 PM MT)
Live Stats: Meet Mobile
Dive Results: divemeets.com
 
Who: NM State at Grand Canyon
Where: Fr Edward A. Reese Aquatic Center – Phoenix, Ariz.
When: Saturday, Nov. 8 (11:00 AM MT)
Live Stats: Swimcloud
Dive Results: divemeets.com
 
Head Coach Rick Pratt, on the meet: "It's exciting to get on the road with our team after a long stretch of practices. Facing NAU in Flagstaff is always a big challenge and swimming them really brings out the best of us. GCU always has a very good team and is racing fast. This will be a great experience for the team and we're hoping for season best performances."
 
Alongside NM State, Simon Fraser, Arizona Christian and OUAZ will also compete in Phoenix. The four programs begin the competition on Friday while the Aggies are set to clash with NAU.
 
LAST TIME OUT
On Oct. 25, the Aggies hosted Northern Colorado for its first dual of the season. NM State fell by a margin of 137.5-162.5, suffering its first defeat since UNC also claimed victory exactly a year prior. The hosts took the crown in seven of 16 events, earning 19 of 48 podium spots. 
 
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 the Bayou City for the Phil Hansel Invitational across Nov. 19-21. NM State finished sixth at the event last year with a score nearly 40 points ahead of rival New Mexico. The three day meet held at the CRWC Natatorium will include opposition of Houston, UNM, Rice and Air Force, among others.
 
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