University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Finishes Strong To Defeat New Mexico State
1/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
DENTON (1/16/04) - The North Texas women’s swimming and diving team (5-8) won the final two events in its meet against Sun Belt Conference foe New Mexico State, breaking a tied score to claim a 156-138 victory in its first meet of the spring season on Friday at the North Texas Student Recreation Center.
New Mexico State built a 33-16 advantage after three events, but North Texas won the next two and outscored the Aggies 28-10 over that stretch to claim a 44-43 lead. However, NMSU stormed back to push ahead 81-63, its largest lead of the game, through eight events. The Mean Green once again began chipping away at its deficit and won the next three events to reclaim the lead 102-99 with five races remaining. The score was tied 129-129 with two events to go, but the Mean Green took first and second place in the 200 Individual Medley and won the 400 Freestyle Relay to finish strong and pick up the win.
"I think this victory shows where we are and that we are on the right track," said North Texas head coach Mona Nyheim-Canales. "This team continues to get stronger and I think we are where we need to be at this stage of the season."
The Aggies were picked to finish third, one place ahead of the Mean Green, in the preseason Sun Belt Conference Coaches’ Poll. The win tied the school record for single-season victories, originally set by last year’s team, and gives North Texas a 3-2 record in home outings this season.
The Mean Green took gold in eight of the 16 events, getting first-place finishes from Jaime Hosner, Bethany Pipes, Emilia Tudose and Kathleen McManis in at least one event. Hosner, Pipes and Tudose all won two events.
North Texas is back in action Saturday, hosting Houston in its final home meet of the season. The diving events are set to get under way at 11:45 a.m. in the North Texas Physical Education Building, while the swimming events will begin at 1 p.m. in the NT Student Recreation Center.
