The Lobo Aquatic Club hosted the Jeff Mortensen Memorial Open swim competition on Sept. 13-14 at the University of New Mexico Seidler Natatorium. Under the lead of their coach, Jarrod Trainor, the Lobos were eager to show off their hard training during the home meet.
The competition itself is dedicated to Jeffrey Mortensen, who died in 2016. Before his death, Mortenson was a prominent member of the Lobo Aquatic Club Masters Swim Team, as well as a supporter of UNM’s women’s swim team.
The Lobo Aquatic Club provides a fun and exciting experience in developing swimmers of all ages. Not only does the team consist of age group divisions, but also a masters swim team and swim lessons. With around 60 swimmers, the team has members from ages six to 85. For the Open, the majority of Lobo Aquatic members were competing in age group divisions between six to 18 years old.
Out of the water, the Lobos span from veterans to beginners, but the team spirit flows strong despite the range of ages. This season, the team is yet to have any high school seniors decide on collegiate careers, but many are pushing for top academic universities, Trainor said.
Diving with a splash into the first day of the competition, Trainor said his biggest wish is “to have as many swimmers qualify for state (championships) as possible.”
“I am very excited to see one of our boys in the 400-yard freestyle,” Trainor said.
This will be Trainor’s final year as senior coach before he transitions to an administrative position, Trainor said.
The team started strong with a 12-second cut in the boys 12 and under 200-yard Medley Relay. In the boys 12 and under 50-yard freestyle, Ethan Scrymgeour achieved fourth place with a new personal best time. Swimmers who also achieved new best times are Solara DeGiglio, Ida Wilder and Jotham Byrnes. Seasoned swimmers weren’t the only ones competing; Pearce Schwarz swam his first 50-yard freestyle at only six years old.
Some familiar faces are within the Lobo Aquatic’s staff as well; Mina Willemin and Caitlin Beery, former UNM women’s swim team members, are now seen coaching future champions. The event demonstrated substantial attendance, with over 400 participants.
Lobo Aquatic Club will be competing next at the Four Corners Aquatic Team Fall Open on Sept. 20-21.
Marina Olmstead is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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