Husky Classic — Seattle, Wash.
When: Friday-Saturday, Feb. 13-14, 2014
Where: Dempsey Indoor in Seattle, Wash.
At each of the last six trips New Mexico made to the Husky Classic, at least one Lobo qualified to the NCAA Championships. This year, they’re looking to extend their streak
Five of the University of New Mexico’s top distance runners are heading to the Husky Classic in Seattle this weekend as they aim to run fast times at one of the top distance meets of the year.
Adam Bitchell, Alice Wright, Calli Thackery, Nicole Roberts and Heleene Tambet are all looking to capture times that could end the season ranked in the top 16, which would earn them a spot at the national meet.
“I just want them to be in position to have a shot,” New Mexico head coach Joe Franklin said. “That’s the goal in all the races.”
And that goal on reaching the NCAAs via the Husky Classic has some precedence, considering the streak UNM has going at Dempsey Indoor.
Former All-American Luke Caldwell punched his ticket to the last two NCAA Championships at the last two editions of the Husky Classic, and his former teammates can extend New Mexico’s streak this weekend.
Bitchell looks to duplicate the recipe UNM used the last two trips, as he looks to register a strong time in the 5,000-meter run.
He currently ranks 19th in the NCAA in the 3,000 with a personal-record time of 7:59.53, but is moving up in distance up in Seattle. However, he has fantastic credentials in that event, including making the national championships last year in Albuquerque alongside Caldwell.
His career best in the 5,000 is 13:44.70, which ranks third in New Mexico history.
On the women’s side, Alice Wright is one of three Lobos running the 5,000.
Wright, a cross-country All-American, has yet to complete a race on the track for the Lobos, having only paced so far during track season. But the youthful distance ace is far from inexperienced, and owns a personal record of 9:39.98 in the 3,000. She’s also coming off of one of the best cross country seasons for a Lobo, having led a senior-laden squad during the postseason.
Joining Wright in the 5K is Nicole Roberts and Heleene Tambet. Roberts comes in with a PR of 17:42.20 in the 5,000, and ranks ninth all-time at UNM in the mile. Tambet has split time between skiing and track, excelling in both. She owns a PR of 16.53.41 in the 5,000 that she recorded outdoors last year.
The final Lobo running this weekend, Calli Thackery, is taking aim in the 3,000. Having just ran the race two weeks ago at the New Mexico Team Invitational, Thackery has a brand-new lifetime best of 9:19.67. Her time ranks 13th in the NCAA and third in school history.
Check GoLobos.com after the meet Saturday for a full recap.