ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s track and field team climbed to No. 25 in the nation in the most recent edition of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings released Monday.
The women made are ranked top 25 for the first time in program history and are currently the highest-ranked Mountain West team. The previous high for UNM in the national rankings was 28th in 2011.
The USTFCCCA rankings, based on athletes’ performances in events during the season, credit the Lobos with 36.75 points, with a large portion coming from the distance medley relay team that just broke the school record this past weekend.
The relay team of Calli Thackery, Holly Van Grinsven, Sophie Connor and Sammy Silva combined for a time of 11 minute, 1.44 seconds in the event at the Alex Wilson Invitational, which ranks third in the NCAA and took down the old program record of 11:34.71.
Consequently, that performance provides the New Mexico women with 17.75 of their 36.75 points.
Silva and Thackery also contributed significant points via their showings in the mile run and the 3,000-meter run, respectively. Silva ranks sixth in the nation in her event and contributes 11.4 points, while Thackery ranks 11th and adds 5.68 points.
Also adding points to the women’s ledger are Aasha Marler (1.03 points in the long jump), Alice Wright (0.6 points in the 5000), Jannell Hadnot (0.28 points in the triple jump) and Samantha Bowe (0.01 points in the pentathlon).
The women also occupy the second spot in the USTFCCCA Mountain Region ranking released Monday.
The men’s track and field team is currently ranked 30th in this week’s national rankings — their best since the preseason — to lead the Mountain West and are third in the regional standings.
Combined, New Mexico is one of 17 schools with both its men’s and women’s programs ranked in the top 30. UNM is the only Mountain West institution and one of just three non-Power 5 schools (along with Akron and Georgetown) to claim that distinction.
The Lobos are back in action this Thursday through Saturday as they aim to defend their conference titles when they host the Mountain West Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center.