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Sun Angel ClassicLast week’s home meet was a chilly and wet affair for the Lobos. This week’s trip to Arizona, on the other hand, looks to be a bit warmer and drier.
After battling through its season opener in Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico track & field team is aiming to post a more productive outing as it heads to the Sun Angel Classic this Friday and Saturday in Tempe.
The Lobos, who only competed some athletes in some events at the Don Kirby Tailwind Open last weekend, are looking to compete the bulk of their team for essentially just the first time in the outdoor season.
Some of New Mexico’s sprinters, middle-distance runners and throwers managed to get some marks in last week, but most of its athletes couldn’t compete due to the conditions.
So, as the Lobos take Joe Selleh Track at Sun Angel Stadium, they’ll look to properly open their season and start making strides toward the postseason, which starts in May.
And this weekend’s meet is shaping up to be a good first (or second) meet for New Mexico.
The Lobos will face off against a number of strong teams like Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Arizona State, which can help facilitate strong performances.
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| Tanner Battikha |
Even though the championship season doesn’t start until later in May, tallying strong marks this weekend can help power athletes into the postseason.
The top 48 athletes in each event in the NCAA’s West Region advance to the NCAA West Preliminary Championship, which is the qualifying meet for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June.
New Mexico’s jumpers and sprinters will compete in force this weekend, giving them either another go outdoors or a good spot for a season debut.
Sam Trigg didn’t compete last weekend in Albuquerque, but is entered the long jump and his speciality, the triple jump. Tanner Battikha, the Mountain West leader in the long jump, and Alejandro Goldston are also slated to compete in the long jump.
The pole vaulting trio of Jason Atencio, Nathan Burnett and John Harari and javelin thrower Nik Aston will take their first attempts in their main events.
For the women, Jannell Hadnot (triple jump) and Shannon Fritz (high jump/pole vault) makes their season debuts in their events, while Akeisha Ayanniyi (long jump, 100-meter run) looks to build on her productive opener last weekend.
In the throws, Allison Mady (shot put/hammer throw), Amaris Blount (hammer) and Morgan Smith (javelin) will take aim on improvement after seeing action earlier this season.
On the track, Battikha is running the 100, while Goldston, Carlos Salcido, Mark Haywood and Isaac Gonzales run the 200. Mustafa Mudada and Cheyne Dorsey are entered in the 400 hurdles, with Ryan Chase running the 110 hurdles.
Haywood, Goldston, Salcido and Gonzales will run the 4×100 meter relay, while Dorsey, Gonzales, Salcido and Haywood compete in the 4×400.
Emil Danielsson (1500) rounds out the Lobo men’s contingent.
On the women’s side, Ayanniyi, Erynn Caldwell and Peri Moran are slated to run the 100, with Caldwell and Larimar Rodriguez are set to run to 200. Rodriguez and Hannah Riker-Urrutia will also run the 400.
Four Lobos — Kieran Casey, Sophie Eckel, Kendall Kelly and Samantha Dicker — are competing in the metric mile, while Kyra Mohns run both the 100 and 400 hurdles.
The Lobos will kick off competition Friday with the pole vault and hammer throw, while the bulk of the action starts Saturday. Check GoLobos.com after the meet Saturday for a full recap.
Fans can follow the Lobos on Twitter (@lobo_track) and Instagram (@lobo_xc_tf) for information and updates on the team!