Friday, October 4
Las Cruces, NM
University of North Texas
104
at
138
New Mexico State
Mean Green Swim & Dive Split Meets in New Mexico
10/5/2024 4:10:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
UNT's swimming and diving teams had a pair of meets over the weekend in New Mexico, ending with a win over New Mexico on Saturday following a loss to New Mexico State on Friday.
The Mean Green took Saturday's clash with the Lobos 168-130 behind the strength of some performances in the pool and in the diving events.
On Saturday, Kayleigh Lovell, who is back to competition after missing last year with an injury, won the 1,000 freestyle, while teammate Kennedy Eichler took second in the event to give UNT a 1-2 finish. Senior Diana Kolb won three events, taking victories in both the 100 and 200 backstroke, as well as the 200 IM. Freshman Mikaela Goelst made her presence known by doubling up in the 100 and 200 breaststroke for her first two collegiate wins. Grad transfer Indra Vandenbussche doubled up with wins in the 100 and 200 freestyle, and senior Kailey Turner doubled up in the 200 butterfly and the 500 freestyle.
On the boards, junior Kamryn Wong won the day with dominant victories on both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards and earned her NCAA Zone Cuts in both events. Sydney Guidara took fourth in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter event. Senior Mackenzie Ferguson took sixth in both events to score points.
"Overall, we had a solid two days of competition in New Mexico," head coach Brittany Roth said. "Competition at altitude poses a challenge, and I'm really impressed with the way our athletes handled the adversity. Kayleigh Lovell had a strong showing in her return to competition, and Kailey Turner continued to show her strength and determination over the two days in her 200 fly. Mikaela Goelst is finding her stride in each of her breaststroke events in her first year, and it's been great watching her test her limits in each outing. I'm encouraged with where the team is at in this phase of the season, and I'm looking forward to building upon this weekend."
UNT fell 138-104 to the Aggies on Friday, but got several big performances on the day.
The Mean Green got wins in the coveted relay events as Kolb, Goelst, Samantha Robles and Shaena McCloud won the 400 medley relay in 3:49.45, and McCloud, her sister, Scarlett, Robles and Vandenbussche won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:30.19.Â
On the boards, UNT swept the podium in the 3-meter springboard, with Wong, Guidara and Ferguson claiming the top three spots. In the 1-meter, Wong and Guidara took first and second, while Ashley Van Milligan finished fourth.
"That was a really great first weekend back," associate head coach/diving coach Stephanie O'Callaghan said. "The divers are a really cohesive group; having fun and supporting each other every step of the way. This is a grueling trip, and I thought they all did really great. We have a lot of strong pieces that, I know as the season progresses, will keep coming together better and better. Kam had a great first showing with the Mean Green, winning all four events over the two days. Sydney, Mackenzie and Ashley all stepped up in important moments scoring points for the team. I loved seeing the girls sweep against New Mexico State. We'll be back at it quick next weekend in Houston and I'm excited to see how they all improve, as well as get an opportunity to compete on tower and in the team event."
The divers return to competition Oct. 11-12, at the Houston Diving Invite, while the swimmers will be back on Oct. 26, when UNT hosts UIW.
The Mean Green took Saturday's clash with the Lobos 168-130 behind the strength of some performances in the pool and in the diving events.
On Saturday, Kayleigh Lovell, who is back to competition after missing last year with an injury, won the 1,000 freestyle, while teammate Kennedy Eichler took second in the event to give UNT a 1-2 finish. Senior Diana Kolb won three events, taking victories in both the 100 and 200 backstroke, as well as the 200 IM. Freshman Mikaela Goelst made her presence known by doubling up in the 100 and 200 breaststroke for her first two collegiate wins. Grad transfer Indra Vandenbussche doubled up with wins in the 100 and 200 freestyle, and senior Kailey Turner doubled up in the 200 butterfly and the 500 freestyle.
On the boards, junior Kamryn Wong won the day with dominant victories on both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards and earned her NCAA Zone Cuts in both events. Sydney Guidara took fourth in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter event. Senior Mackenzie Ferguson took sixth in both events to score points.
"Overall, we had a solid two days of competition in New Mexico," head coach Brittany Roth said. "Competition at altitude poses a challenge, and I'm really impressed with the way our athletes handled the adversity. Kayleigh Lovell had a strong showing in her return to competition, and Kailey Turner continued to show her strength and determination over the two days in her 200 fly. Mikaela Goelst is finding her stride in each of her breaststroke events in her first year, and it's been great watching her test her limits in each outing. I'm encouraged with where the team is at in this phase of the season, and I'm looking forward to building upon this weekend."
UNT fell 138-104 to the Aggies on Friday, but got several big performances on the day.
The Mean Green got wins in the coveted relay events as Kolb, Goelst, Samantha Robles and Shaena McCloud won the 400 medley relay in 3:49.45, and McCloud, her sister, Scarlett, Robles and Vandenbussche won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:30.19.Â
On the boards, UNT swept the podium in the 3-meter springboard, with Wong, Guidara and Ferguson claiming the top three spots. In the 1-meter, Wong and Guidara took first and second, while Ashley Van Milligan finished fourth.
"That was a really great first weekend back," associate head coach/diving coach Stephanie O'Callaghan said. "The divers are a really cohesive group; having fun and supporting each other every step of the way. This is a grueling trip, and I thought they all did really great. We have a lot of strong pieces that, I know as the season progresses, will keep coming together better and better. Kam had a great first showing with the Mean Green, winning all four events over the two days. Sydney, Mackenzie and Ashley all stepped up in important moments scoring points for the team. I loved seeing the girls sweep against New Mexico State. We'll be back at it quick next weekend in Houston and I'm excited to see how they all improve, as well as get an opportunity to compete on tower and in the team event."
The divers return to competition Oct. 11-12, at the Houston Diving Invite, while the swimmers will be back on Oct. 26, when UNT hosts UIW.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and Diving
Breaststroke/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and Diving
Backstroke/IM
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle/Butterfly
/ Swimming and Diving
Butterfly/Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle/Butterfly
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming and Diving
Diving
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