Seniors honored as swim and dive beat rival Aggies
NAU senior swimmer Claire Ferro touched out to win the final relay that clinched a 170–130 win over New Mexico State Dec. 5 at the Wall Aquatic Center.
Ferro, along with the other eight seniors on the team, was honored during the meet with a coronation of roses to send the group out in the final home event of the season.
“This senior class had not beaten the Aggies ,and they’re a tough team,” said head coach Andy Johns. “We had some players toughing it out with injuries, and our divers were as good as advertised.”
The meet began with the 200-meter medley, and Ferro won by two one-hundredths of a second. NAU took first place in five of the initial seven events, including freshman swimmer Emma Lowther and junior swimmer Kristin Jones finishing first and second, respectively, in the 800-meter freestyle. Senior Fi Connell won the 100-meter backstroke, and the team of junior Krista Maier and senior Vivian Landeck placed first and second in the 200-meter freestyle.
“I’m not going to say it felt good to beat NMS, but it felt good,” Ferro said. “I didn’t want to let my team down, and we all came through today.”
The diving portion of the afternoon swept the 3-meter competition, and NAU took first and second place on the 1-meter. Senior diver Taryn Harris finished first in both events, and senior Megan Collier placed second in both events.
“It’s really awesome to get a win today; it’s nice payback and to get these seniors a win,” Harris said.
New Mexico State rallied with wins in the 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter backstroke, but NAU took the 400-meter freestyle in response. Ferris closed out the day by finishing a fraction of a second ahead to claim the 400-meter freestyle relay.
“That’s what this sport is all about: It’s the excitement of the races at the very end,” Johns said.
The squad will play next on Dec. 18 against ASU in Tempe.
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