ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico Lobos were well represented at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a total of 10 former Lobos involved. Eight University of New Mexico alumni, one head coach and one former assistant coach competed against the world’s best on the biggest international stage.
Former Lobo student-athletes Cameron Bairstow (Australia, basketball), Luc Longley (Australia, basketball), Gavin Green (Malaysia, golf), Courtney Frerichs (United States, athletics), Jarrin Solomon (Trinidad and Tobago, athletics) and Ross Millington (Great Britain, athletics) all competed over the 19-days in Brazil.
Also joining that group was current UNM women’s soccer head coach Heather Dyche, who assisted the U.S. Women’s National Team in Rio de Janeiro, and Jillion Potter (United States, rugby). Lang Ping, who was an assistant volleyball coach for the Lobos in 1987-89 and 1992-93, assisted the China National Team. Ellis Dawson, a former Lobo men’s basketball manager, worked as a trainer for the U.S. Men’s Basketball team.
Two Lobos ended up involved with gold medals, including Dawson with the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team and Ping with the China National Volleyball Team.
Some other highlights over the last 19 days were Bairstow and Longley, finishing fourth with Australia. Bairstow had his best game against China, leading the Boomers with 17 points and nine rebounds before suffering a shoulder injury in the quarterfinal round.
Frerichs finished 11th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The reigning NCAA champion and NCAA record holder in the steeplechase, Frerichs clocked a time of 9 minutes, 22.87 seconds to register the highest finish by a female Lobo track Olympian in program history.
Lobo athletics are in full swing for the fall season. Lobo football finished up fall camp last week and will look forward to its first game of the season on Sept. 1 against South Dakota.
Season tickets for the 2016 Lobo Football season are still available for fans who are looking for the most economical way to be a part of the exciting season ahead. Packages for all seven home games can be purchased for as low as $96. In addition to season ticket packages, the Lobos will continue to offer the Sadie’s of New Mexico, Dominos Team New Mexico and Albertsons Football Family Plan. Click here for specific offer details.
Single game tickets are currently on sale exclusively at unmtickets.com, and they will go on sale at the WisePies Arena box office and all participating Albertsons on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.