The Armond H. Seidler Natatorium might seem like just another building on UNM’s campus.

But to the Lobo swimming and diving team, it’s a place to call home.

After two years of practicing at West Mesa High School and other pools in Albuquerque while Seidler was renovated, the Lobos returned to their campus pool and blasted Northern Colorado out of the water 244-180 on Thursday.

“You always feel more comfortable and confident at home,” said senior diver Sasha Evangulova. “After everything last year, we don’t take anything for granted. We’re all glad to have somewhere to call home again.”

Head coach Tracy Ljone said the homecoming — and Thursday’s win — were much-anticipated.

“It’s always nice to win at home,” she said. “To finally be back in Seidler, in front of our fans, is great.”

Not having a pool the past two seasons took a toll on the team,
Ljone said.

The Lobos endured traveling to other facilities to share a pool with high school and private teams.

Diving coach Abel Sanchez said finding time for practices was a monumental task.
“Last year was really tough on us,” he said. “We had to do some pretty creative things to schedule pool time.”

Seidler Natatorium closed in November 2007 for remodeling. The Olympic-size pool was scheduled to reopen in December 2008 in time for the end of the swimming and diving season, but the opening date was postponed because of a problem with the draining system.

Finally, in August, the Lobos began practicing in Seidler again.

“Our morale is better this year,” Sanchez said. “When we come in to practice, everyone is there to get it done and improve. We don’t hear as much complaining because everyone remembers what it was like last year.”

And fans are responding to the natatorium’s new look, too. On Thursday, approximately 150 fans showed up to cheer the Lobos on “To see that many people supporting us was really encouraging,” said senior swimmer Bridget O’Hara. “Other UNM teams came out and supported us, and it’s always nice to swim in front of friends and family.”

Ljone said many of the renovations were aimed at making Seidler more fan-friendly.
“We put in a new scoreboard,” she said. “We changed the set up a little bit. There’s also additional bleachers to accommodate more fans. It’s just an all-around better place.”

Sanchez said there’s more excitement in the team this year.
“The girls are responding well,” he said. “When you’re at home, you’re pumped up and you want to do well. And I can see a new attitude and dedication in a commitment to giving 100 percent.”