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Bobcat ClassicAfter posting some superb marks last weekend, the Lobos are looking to cash in on the idea that everything is bigger in Texas.
With just a couple of meets remaining in the regular season, the University of New Mexico track & field team is heading to the Bobcat Classic in San Marcos, Texas, this Friday and Saturday as it looks to continue making strides for the postseason.
Having put together a strong team performance last weekend at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, the Lobos aiming to produce some more strong results when they hit the track at the Bobcat Track and Field Stadium.
With just a few weeks left until the Mountain West Championships in mid-May, building on the team’s the tremendous showing last week in Azusa is key.
Paced by Josh Kerr’s NCAA record in the 1,500-meter run, the Lobos received strong marks from its sprinters, distance runners and jumpers. It was an all-around spectacular meet that saw 10 Lobos move up in the program’s all-time rankings.
For the athletes competing this weekend, continuing that trend of strong marks is the goal as New Mexico eyes the approaching postseason.
Right after the MW Championships, the top 48 athletes in each event in the NCAA’s West Region advance to the NCAA West Preliminary Championship. From there, athletes can qualify to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June.
Currently, 16 Lobos and a relay team are within the top 48 of their respective event in the West Region rankings.
Adding more regional-qualifying marks is the goal this weekend with most Lobos looking to put together strong performances at back-to-back meets.
Leading the charge is New Mexico’s sprinters and hurdles, with Carlos Salcido and Kyra Mohns at the front.
Mohns, racing in the 400-meter hurdles, leads the Mountain West in her event, while Salcido, who’s running the 200-meter dash and the 4×400 relay, ranks second in both the 200 and the 400.
Salcido will be joined by Alejandro Goldston in the 200, while Mark Haywood, Isaac Gonzales, Bryan Cutler and Ben Parmoon run the open 400. Additionally, Erynn Caldwell is entered in the 100 and 200.
In the middle-distances, Steffi Jones is set to run the 800, with Alondra Negrón Texidor, Alex Buck, Elizabeth Weiler and Mackenzie Everett in the 1500. For the men, its Kristian Uldbjerg Hansen in the 800 and Taylor Potter in the 1500.
The Lobos’ field-event athletes will also see action this weekend.
The men’s multi-event athletes are ramping up their production in anticipation of the MW decathlon, with Daniel Lam, Ryan Chase and Beau Clafton all taking on multiple events, including the pole vault for Lam, the long jump for Chase and javelin for Clafton.
Elsewhere, Tanner Battikha and Goldston are competing in the long jump with Omarei Gregory in both the long and triple jumps.
Brent Dionisio is entered in the high jump, while Jason Atencio is slated for the pole vault. Malik Matthews-Gordon in the javelin rounds out the men’s field events.
For the women, Ada’ora Chigbo aims for more steady improvement in the high jump, where she’ll be joined by Shannon Fritz. Fritz and Katherine Whiting are also entered in the pole vault.
In the throws, Allison Mady takes on the shot put with the trio of Michelle Traynham, Sara Reyes and Morgan Smith in the javelin.
Akeisha Ayanniyi completes the group as she competes in the long jump.
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