After big performances in the final meet of the regular season Saturday at the Arizona Desert Heat Classic, New Mexico Women’s Track & Field swept Tuesday’s Mountain West weekly honors with Ajia Hughes (Field Athlete of the Week), Taniya Looney (Track Athlete of the Week) and Eva Ngom (Freshman of the Week) all tabbed.
Hughes, Looney and Ngom all notched new UNM program records on Saturday in Tucson, with Hughes (High Jump; 1.83m) and Ngom (400m; 51.83) both winning their events outright.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
TANIYA LOONEY, NEW MEXICO
Junior, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma/Pittsburg State
- Clocked the fastest 100-meter and 200-meter performances in the Mountain West this season on the same day at the Arizona Desert Heat Classic (Tucson, Arizona).
- Broke her own New Mexico record and finished third in the 100-meter with a wind-legal personal-best of 11.18, with the time ranking top 30 in the nation.
- Added a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter with a time of 23.16.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
AJIA HUGHES, NEW MEXICO
Senior, Cloudcroft, New Mexico/Southern Utah
- Won the high jump at the Arizona Desert Heat Classic with a season-best mark, clearing 1.83 meters (6.0-0.0).
- Broke the New Mexico program record that had stood since 2021.
- The performance currently ranks No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 13 in the nation.
WOMEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
EVA NGOM, NEW MEXICO
Freshman, Katy, Texas/Taylor HS
- Won the Arizona Desert Heat Classic 400-meter race with a time of 51.83, setting a personal record for the third consecutive race.
- Became the first woman from New Mexico to run below the 52-second barrier and holds sole possession of the Lobos’ program record.
- Currently leads the Mountain West in the women’s 400-meter and ranks No. 32 in the nation.