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The wait is finally over.
The University of New Mexico cross country program, with the nation’s third-ranked women’s team, opens up its 2017 campaign in earnest this Friday as it heads to Indiana for the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.
The Lobos, competing at the Burke Golf Course in Notre Dame, Indiana, for the 10th-straight year, are looking to capture some early-season wins now that they can start building their credentials for the 2017 NCAA Championships in November.
After racing a handful of runners at the Lobo Invitational in early September — before race results could count toward qualifying for the NCAA Championships — UNM is finally ready to start making moves for the postseason.
This Friday’s action definitely provides opportunities for the Lobos, as both the men and women will have to contend with some strong competition in their first litmus test of the season.
Along with New Mexico’s third-ranked women’s program, the women’s race will feature five other teams ranked in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association coaches’ poll, including No. 1 Colorado and No. 9 Arkansas.
The men’s race will see four ranked teams run, with No. 4 Colorado and No. 11 Washington State in attendance.
But New Mexico has historically had success at Notre Dame, translating strong performances in the past into momentum for the rest of the season
Last year, the New Mexico women took fourth at Notre Dame for en route to placing seventh at the NCAA Championships — the squad’s seventh-straight top-10 finish at the NCAA meet.
That run of success, which is the nation’s longest active streak, has always found its root in strong performances at this meet.
Looking to lead the charge this weekend for the women is their vaunted lineup of harriers.
Alice Wright, a three-time All-American in cross country and the runner up at this meet last season, looks to lead the team as she kicks off her senior season.
Wright won’t be alone in the cherry & silver, but a number of her running mates will be new faces.
Looking to make their New Mexico cross country debuts this Friday are Ednah Kurgat, Weini Kelati, Charlotte Prouse, Alondra Negrón Texidor and Sophie Eckel.
Kurgat was an All-American in 2015 while at Liberty, while Prouse, a Washington transfer, has also run at high-level NCAA competitions.
Add in Kelati, a freshman who made a name for herself during an outstanding prep career, and the rest of the Lobos’ newcomers, and UNM coach Joe Franklin has a formidable bunch already.
But New Mexico will also run a handful of veterans, including Kieran Casey, Alex Buck, Kendall Kelly, Sarah Laverty and Elizabeth Weiler. All have seen action for the Lobos, and will be counted upon for consistency as the team eyes another NCAA run.
On the men’s side, there’s less definition in who will be serving what roles, but the talent is certainly there.
Josh Kerr, a two-time NCAA track champion in the middle distance, is back on the grass after redshirting last fall. Jonny Glen, another 2016 redshirt, is also expected to be a frontrunner for the Lobo men.
Veterans Jacob Simonsen (72nd at Notre Dame in 2016), Alexander Palm (180th) and Taylor Potter are also key pieces as the men look to regain their top-flight form from years past.
Three years ago, the New Mexico men were third at Notre Dame, but were ninth in 2015 season before placing 23rd in 2016.
A handful of newcomers were also be looked to for strong runs on Friday, including Linton Taylor, Michael Wilson and Ian Crowe-Wright.
The Lobo women will take the course first, running at 11 a.m. MT, followed by the men at 11:45 p.m. MT. Live results will be provided at DeltaTiming.com.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboXCTF on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!