SEATTLE – On Tuesday, NM State Women's Swimming & Diving officially enters uncharted waters. After two decades in the WAC, the Aggies embark on a new chapter, joining the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). With the finalization of the move, NM State no longer has any institutional ties to the WAC, its home for 20 seasons.
 
Coming off one of the greatest seasons in program history, the Aggies look to carry their success into a new conference. An 8-1 dual meet record produced the greatest winning percentage of Head Coach Rick Pratt's 20-year tenure, culminating in a stellar showing at the WAC Championships. The Crimson & White rallied for their seventh second-place finish in the past 10 tries, only behind Northern Arizona, which clinched its 12^th consecutive team championship. NM State tallied five gold, one silver and two bronze medals over the four-day meet, finishing just ahead of Grand Canyon by a score of 534-529.
 
An impressive swimming campaign was highlighted by four WAC Swimmer of the Week awards, including Emily Dobbins (Feb. 12), Naomi Slee (Jan. 15) and a pair from budding freshman Dijana Mazumdar. Mira Tinani led the way for Aggie divers, nabbing a silver medal in the platform dive at the WAC Championships. After a standout sophomore campaign that included seven podiums and a pair of first-place finishes, Tinani landed her second consecutive trip to the Diving Zone E Championships, advancing to the finals of the platform competition. At the helm was Rick Pratt, earning his second consecutive WAC Coach of the Year distinction.
 
With the move becoming official on Tuesday, NM State remains alongside familiar competition in California Baptist, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, UTRGV and Utah Tech. The seven institutions now unite with Incarnate Word, Pacific and Pepperdine, forming a 10-team women's swimming and diving conference for the 2025-26 season. 
 
The new crop of Aggie foes is headlined by Pepperdine, who claimed the 2025 MPSF team championship by a margin of 11.5 points. San Diego, who came in second place at the meet, departed the league to join the Big West ahead of this upcoming campaign. Pacific, meanwhile, finished third and nearly 150 points behind the Waves, winners of three of the last four league crowns.
 
Acting Athletic Director Dr. Amber Burdge, on the Aggies' first program in the MPSF: "We are excited for our Aggie Swim & Dive team to join the MPSF. This move aligns us with a highly competitive group of schools and provides our student-athletes with an incredible opportunity to continue to challenge themselves at the highest level. The MPSF's commitment to excellence matches our own, and we are excited for the future of our program in this prestigious conference."


Head Coach Rick Pratt, on joining the MPSF: "We are thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to join this league while continuing to compete against many familiar rivals and new programs. For years, the MPSF has provided a competitive home for many at a high level, and this move will help us continue to grow as a program and provide a strong experience for our student athletes."
 
2025-26 MPSF Women's Swimming & Diving Member Institutions

• California Baptist
• Idaho
• Incarnate Word
• New Mexico State
• Northern Arizona
• Northern Colorado
• Pacific
• Pepperdine*
• UTRGV
• Utah Tech

 
*2025 MPSF Champions
 
Next year's MPSF Swimming & Diving Championships will be hosted near the campus of UTRGV. The four-day meet is set for Feb. 25-28, held at the City of Pharr-PSJA Natatorium in Pharr, Texas. 
 
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