ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Against one of the largest fields of competition ever hosted for a University of New Mexico home meet, the Lobos faced one of their most challenging tests of the season.
A couple of historically significant runs later, and they aced that test.
Josh Kerr likely secured a bid to the NCAA Championships and the men’s 4×400 meter relay set a school record as the New Mexico track & field team continued to improve Saturday at the Don Kirby Invitational at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
With the Mountain West Championships in two weeks — and the NCAA Championships in a month — the Lobos registered a number of solid results in their final regular-season home meet, including tremendous times from Kerr in the mile run and the men’s relay.
“Remarkable meet,” New Mexico head coach Joe Franklin said. “The highlight of the meet was Josh and the men’s 4×400 relay. To put up marks like that going into the conference championships shows that the team keeps getting better and better and better.”
Facing off against a field that featured eight top-25 Division I teams and considerable individual talent, the Lobos made positive strides toward the postseason.
Some athletes staked their claim for a spot on New Mexico’s MW Championships squad, while others, like Kerr, moved closer to a berth at the NCAA Championships in March.
 |
|
| Sophie Connor |
Kerr, a redshirt freshman from Edinburgh, Scotland, clocked a personal-record time of 4 minutes, 3.34 seconds in the mile run, rallying on the bell lap to capture the win at the meet.
“I knew exactly who was going to win the final 60,” Kerr said. “I had a lot left. So coming off that last bend I knew I had enough left. I just needed to make sure that I could hold off the other guys.”
He also made a strong case for the NCAA Championships. His time is ranked seventh in the nation Saturday evening, and the top 16 individuals in every championship event qualify for the NCAAs.
“I’ll definitely run the mile at conference,” Kerr said, “so I’ve definitely got another mile in me between now and nationals, but [this time] should get me there.”
The men’s 4×400 relay also shined on Saturday, combining to break the 34-year-old school record.
Cheyne Dorsey, Isaac Gonzales, Carlos Salcido and Mark Haywood teamed up to clock a time of 3:11.66, which eclipsed the previous program standard of 3:12.27 set in 1983.
“It’s awesome, it’s such an honor,” Gonzales said. “it’s such an old record set back in 1983, and just being able to break that and be able to be on the track, to be allowed to do that, it’s just such an honor.”
They quartet placed third overall in the meet, one of 19 top-10 finishes that the Lobos logged on the weekend.
Along with Kerr, the UNM men received three more top-10 marks in the mile, including Emil Danielsson (sixth place, time of 4:13.14), Elmar Engholm (seventh, 4:13.52) and Taylor Potter (ninth, 4:16.28).
Gavin Sleeter captured a win in the 800-meter run, catching teammate Kristian Uldbjerg Hansen (third, 1:51.35) on the homestretch to win in 1:51.35. Adam Monroe was also close behind, running to fifth place overall (1:52.32).
On Friday, Graham Thomas won the 3000 in 9:21.77, leading runner-up Alexander Palm (8:27.72) and eighth-place Jesus Mendoza (8:39.56). Thomas, by dint of his run, moved to seventh in UNM history in the event.
Additionally, Mustafa Mudada took eighth in the 600 with a time of 1:22.50.
On the women’s side, Sophie Connor also cruised to a win in the mile, clocking in with a time of 4:44.02. Although she’s run faster this season (a 4:43.03 mile two weeks ago that ranks 12th in the NCAA), Connor showed consistency as she eyes the NCAA Championships.
She now owns five of the top-10 mile times in program history.
Elsewhere, Natasha Bernal ran to fourth place in the 3,000 with a time of 9:52.44 that ranks ninth in UNM history, while Kendall Kelly placed fifth (9:54.83) and Kathryn Fluehr eighth (10:06.84).
Hannah Riker-Urrutia finished fifth in the 600, ascending to fourth in UNM history in the event with a time of 1:33.50.
In the field events, Jannell Hadnot — who, like Connor, has already put herself in position for the NCAAs — placed fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 41 feet, 9 ¼ inches. Her season best/school record of 43-6 ranks 13th in the nation.
Amaris Blount also placed top 10, finishing 10th in the weight throw with a mark of 57-9.
LOBOS IN SEATTLE: Out at the Husky Classic in Seattle, a pair of Lobos posted solid times at one of the best distance meets of the indoor season.
On Friday, Alice Wright ran to a seventh-place time of 16:00.67 in the 5000, which is a new collegiate best indoors in the 5K. She’s near the fringe of the cutoff for the NCAA Championships (currently 15th), and leads the MW by over 21 seconds.
Calli Thackery clocked a time of 9:15.74 in the 3000 on Saturday, placing 17th overall. Her time is second in the MW this season.
UP NEXT: The Lobos are off next week as they prepare to host the Mountain West Indoor Championships Feb. 23-25 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Fans can follow the Lobos on Twitter (@lobo_track) and Instagram (@lobo_xc_tf) for information and updates on the team!