LAS CRUCES, N.M.-New Mexico State swimming and diving head coach Rick Pratt has signed Gina Palombit, Ana Smith, Maria Spies and Alyse Strampel to National Letters of Intent in the spring signing period.  The Aggies now has five signees in the Class of 2008 after Brittney Moore inked in the fall. 

“With the addition of these four athletes and our commitment in the fall, we have a very good chance to keep improving at a great rate and come closer to a WAC Championship,” Pratt said.  “These are all well-rounded people who are going to add to the already strong culture of our program. 

“The 2008 season should be an exciting time for Aggie Swimming and Diving and all five of these girls are going to help us get to a good place.  We tasted success this season and we’re ready for more.”

Maria Spies is a breaststroke specialist from Magdeburg, Germany.  Spies posts a personal best time of 1:12.0 in the 100 breast and 2:35.1 in the 200 breast.  She gives the Aggies depth in the event as she joins freshmen Alannah Lawrence and Kelly Runestrand. 

“We are honored that Maria has chosen NMSU,” Pratt said.  “She is going to make a huge impact on our program and should be one of the top breaststrokers in the WAC and has the potential to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet as a freshman.  She is very athletic and has had good coaching with strong technique.”

Ana Smith, a Mexico City, Mexico native, is a middle distance freestyle and butterfly swimmer.  She is expected to compete in several events for the Aggies and currently has personal best times of 2:06.1 in the 200 free, 4:24.9 in the 400 free, 9:08.89 in the 800 free and 1:05.01 in the 100 fly. 

“She is going to make an immediate impact at the WAC Championship meet, bring depth to our distance group and make our relays better as well,” Pratt said.  “She is a hard worker and a great student and is very ambitious.  She has good technique and the potential to be a great swimmer for us.” 

A Lubbock, Texas native, Gina Palombit joins the Aggies as a freestyle specialist.  She swims for the Lubbock Swim Club and Trey Hayes.  Her personal best times are 24.46 in the 50 free and 53.80 in the 100 free. 

“She is a good athlete with a lot of room to improve and will add depth to our sprint group,” Pratt said.  “She has family in Las Cruces and it ended up being a good fit for her to attend NMSU.  She wants to take her swimming to a higher level and we are glad she chose to do that here.  She is a very hard working individual and I think will transform into a real fast swimmer for us.”

Alyse Strampel is a diver from Castle Rock, Colo.  She competed for the Mile High Diving Club and Jack Perkins and Jen Hess.

“She is an experienced diver who has had good coaching and is a very smart individual,” Pratt said.  “She has a great personality and an attitude that is going to help our diving program in a big way.  She is easy to communicate with, has great potential and a strong work ethic.  She will to be able to compete at the WAC level as a freshman and having her in the lineup is a good step for our diving program.” 

The Aggies also signed Brittney Moore from Spokane, Wash., in the fall signing period.  Moore is a freestyle and individual medley specialist.  Her career best times are 1:53.46 in the 200 free, 5:04.10 in the 500 free, 10:29.62 in the 1,000 free, 2:11.83 in the 200 IM and 4:34.52 in the 400 IM. 

“She is having a great senior year and continuing to improve and get stronger,” Pratt said.    She has the ability to do great things and we are ecstatic about her progress and potential.”

The Aggies concluded the 2007-08 season with their best performance at the WAC Championship with 460.5 points.  NMSU also broke four school records at the conference meet, one individual and three relay records.