FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona swimming & diving team will open their dual meet season on Saturday at 11 a.m. with New Mexico in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. The meet will be free for all fans to attend, and all fans will receive a pink rally towel during the Lumberjacks' Wipe Out Cancer meet for breast cancer awareness.
 
"They're as good as they've been , and probably even better in some areas," said head coach Andy Johns. "We're definitely going to be tested. With it being the first home meet of the season, it's exciting, and that always helps raise the level a little. It's going to be great competition and we're really going to find out a lot about who we are and what we have."
 
The Lumberjacks will try to get on the right side of the scoreboard in their season-opening dual as the Lobos have claimed the last three head-to-head meetings. Last season, New Mexico handed NAU a 156.5-140.5 loss in Albuquerque, N.M. with the Lumberjacks winning a total of five events.
 
Senior Alina Staffeldt swept all three of her individual events – the 100 and 200 butterfly and 100 freestyle – while the 'Jacks claimed first on both springboards. Junior Christina Torrente earned the victory on 3-meter.
 
The Lumberjacks are well equipped to end their three-meet skid to the Lobos with a balanced lineup of swimmers led by Staffeldt and fellow seniors Claire Hammond, Roni Houck and Kimmy Richter – who combined for 18 All-WAC honors last season. Throw in an upperclassman-heavy diving unit featuring NCAA Championships qualifier junior Tatiana Kurach, Torrente and Raquel Gonzales and the Lumberjacks are in good position going into Saturday's opener.
 
Among those who did not compete against the Lobos last season and will be part of NAU's lineup this weekend are redshirt junior Monique King and freshmen Niamh McDonagh, Sam Milewski, Sarah O'Connor and Elisa Rodriguez. All five 'Jacks have been among the many who have produced positive results through NAU's early season Pentathlon and Blue vs. Gold meets.
 
Where the Lobos have the advantage over the Lumberjacks is in-season experience as they have already competed in four dual meets, including three victories over Air Force, Nebraska-Omaha and Wyoming. Most recently, New Mexico knocked off Wyoming at home last Saturday, 178-122.
 
Adriana Palomino was named the Mountain West Swimmer of the Week following New Mexico's three dual meet wins. Palomino picked up event wins in all eight of her individual events with three in the 200 free, three in the 500 free and two in the 1,000 free.
 
Saturday's meet will be the first of three consecutive dual meets at home for the 'Jacks to start the season.