Air Force Collegiate Open — USAF Academy, Colo.
When: Friday, Jan. 9, 2015
Where: Cadet Field House in USAF Academy, Colo.
Results: GoAirForceFalcons.com, GoLobos.com
Most of the Lobos are still waiting to open their season. But a small pack is already raring to go.
The University of New Mexico track and field team is sending a handful of athletes to the Air Force Collegiate Open Friday as the Lobos look to capture some strong marks to start the young 2015 season.
While the home-opening Lobo Collegiate Open is still over two weeks aways on Jan. 24, some of the Lobos’ jumpers, sprinters and hurdlers are ready to open the season at the Cadet Field House on the campus of the Air Force Academy.
The Air Force Academy was kind to the Lobos the last time UNM ventured to Colorado Springs for an indoor meet, when both the men and women won the 2014 Mountain West team titles for the program’s first-ever title sweep.
For the women, 2014 MW long jump champion Aasha Marler is heading back to where she won her title, with Jannell Hadnot debuting in her speciality, the triple jump.
Casey Dowling and Kyra Mohns, a pair a multi-event athletes, take aim in the 60-meter hurdles and the high jump, while Samantha Bowe, a MW scorer in the pentathlon, opens in the 60 hurdles and shot put.
Pole vaulters Annie Stirling — the 2014 MW runner-up in the event — and Katherine Whiting are also making their season debuts.
Marler also leads a trio of Lobos in the 60-meter dash, alongside Peri Moran and Erynn Caldwell. Holly Van Grinsven in the 60 hurdles rounds out the Lobo women competing.
On the men’s side, Yannick Roggatz is opening in the 60 hurdles and long jump, while multi athletes Beau Clafton (60 hurdles and shot put) and Daniel Lam (pole vault and shot put) are making their Lobo debuts.
Ridge Jones, Carlos Wiggins and Allan Hamilton complete the UNM men competing, as they compete in the 60.
Currently, the Lobo men are ranked 27th in the Preseason National Team Computer Rankings that were released by the USTFCCCA on Tuesday. The Lobo women, with Marler and Hadnot leading, are ranked 82nd.
New Mexico action at the meet kicks off on Friday with the men’s shot put at 2 p.m. MT, with the first track event scheduled to go off at 4 p.m. Check back on Saturday evening for a full Lobo recap and complete results.