Lobos Set to Host MW Cross Country Champonships
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Mountain West ChampionshipsWinners of nine straight conference titles for the women and six of the last eight for the men, the Lobos know a thing or two about success at the conference level.
This week, they’ll put their track record to the test.
The University of New Mexico cross country team will look to continue its winning tradition as it hosts the 2017 Mountain West Cross Country Championships this Friday at the UNM North Golf Course. The men’s race starts at 10 a.m., followed by the women’s at 10:45 a.m.
Behind the nation’s second-ranked women’s team and a talented men’s team, the Lobos are seeking to defend their home turf as they contend with a conference filled with ranked teams and skilled runners.
“The lay person would not probably understand how deep our conference is,” UNM head coach Joe Franklin said. “… I would put our conference up against any in the country.”
Facing off against a deep and dangerous field of competitors, the Lobos will be challenged. In both the men’s and women’s races, there will be four teams either ranked or receiving votes in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll.
Along with the No. 2 UNM women, the No. 8 Boise State women, the No. 12 Utah State women and an Air Force team receiving votes in the poll will be in attendance.
On the men’s side, No. 9 Colorado State, No. 17 Air Force, No. 19 Utah State and RV Boise State will be competing.
“It’s a great competition,” Franklin said about the MW Championships. “You could be second at this meet and be top 10 in the country.”
But New Mexico domination on the Mountain West level is virtually unparalleled, with the women’s nine straight titles ranking as the most in MW history.
The men’s success, although on hiatus the last two years, is also remarkable considering only BYU (nine titles) has more championships than the men’s six straight from 2009-14.
Franklin and his staff will look to counter the field and extend their success with some of their own remarkable teams and exceptionally talented runners.
“We have to run like we have already to do well at this meet,” Franklin said. “Don’t do anything out of the norm.”
For the women, two-time national athlete of the week Ednah Kurgat will lead the charge. A frontrunner for the individual title, Kurgat has shone so far this season, winning back-to-back meets at Notre Dame and Wisconsin.
Alice Wright, the 2016 MW champion, is also primed for a high finish. The last time she ran on this course, the 2014 NCAA Mountain Region Championship, she won her first individual title.
Charlotte Prouse and Weini Kelati, the Lobos’ Nos. 4 and 5 scorers this season, will also be relied on for strong finishes. Kelati, running unattached at the time, set the North Golf Course record over five kilometers at the Lobo Invitational back in September.
The key for the Lobo women at this point is solidifying their No. 5 runner.
Kieran Casey and Alondra Negrón Texidor both held that honor at Notre Dame and Wisconsin, respectively, and can significantly aid New Mexico’s efforts with good runs on Friday.
Alex Buck, Sophie Eckel and Sarah Laverty can also contribute for UNM as they take on the 6K course.
On the men’s side, Alexander Palm will be looked to for leadership after pacing the Lobos this season. He was New Mexico’s No. 1 runner at both Notre Dame and Wisconsin, placing top 20 at both.
Josh Kerr and Jonny Glen can also provide low finishes for the men after helping the men the past two weeks.
Finding those low finishes will be critical as the men look to improve on their fourth-place selection in the league’s preseason poll.
UNM will round out its contingent with Jacob Simonsen, Linton Taylor, Tyler Valdez, Michael Wilson, Taylor Potter and Jared Garcia.
The meet will be broadcast live on the Mountain West Network, and check back Friday afternoon on GoLobos.com for meet results and a New Mexico recap.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboXCTF on Twitter and Instagram to keep track of the Lobos!