by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Matt Henry has watched Cameron Clarke perform as one of New Mexico's top cross country runners since he was in high school.
When Henry took over the job as head track and field and cross country coach at UNM in 2000, he wanted to build a successful program that featured the most talented local runners from New Mexico.
That same year, Clarke was busy winning the Class 5A New Mexico Cross Country Championship, leading Sandia to the state title.
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Henry immediately went to work and brought Clarke to UNM, joining him with fellow state champions Matt Gonzales, Ben Ortega and Nick Martinez, all New Mexico natives.
During his freshman year, Clarke proved Henry right, constantly finishing as one of the Lobos' top five runners. His sophomore season, Clarke made an even bigger impression, earning first-team all-Mountain West Conference honors after finishing third at the MWC Championships.
"We always knew that Cameron was very talented," Henry said. "He always supports what I'm trying to do with the New Mexico kids and showing to everyone what they're all about."
After red-shirting in 2003, Clarke returned in 2004 to perhaps the most talented and most successful team in UNM history.
That season the Lobos were nationally ranked most of the season and pundits picked them to finish somewhere between 15th at 20th at the NCAA Championships.
However, UNM shocked the field by finishing ninth at the NCAA Championships, the best a New Mexico team has ever placed.
Clarke was the fourth scorer for the Lobos, and he said the performance was the highlight of his running career.
"That was definitely one of the greatest memories," he said. "That was the highest finish for UNM, and I think it was a great memory for everybody."
Clarke said what made the finish so special was that he shared it with teammates he had known and competed against in high school.
"That was great. I don't think I would ever want to change that," Clarke said. "It's a lot more personal with everybody knowing that we all grew up in New Mexico, we all ran for New Mexico. It was a bunch of local kids that did it and I think it shocked everybody in the country."
After losing most of the top seven runners from last season's team, the expectations weren't high for the 2005 Lobos. Returning as a senior, Clarke said the team has begun to pull together lately.
At the Auburn Invitational, Clarke led the Lobos to their finest performance in 2005. As a team the Lobos placed second, and Clarke finished seventh overall, his highest place since his sophomore season.
While Clarke has enjoyed his career as a Lobo, he said he will not be satisfied unless he gets another chance to compete at the NCAA Championships.
"It would be nice to get to nationals again and hopefully I can get All-American," Clarke said.
Henry said Clarke is a tough competitor and believes he has yet to run his best race as a Lobo.
"He's very aggressive when it comes to racing," Henry said. "Truthfully, he's as talented as any person we've ever had here. I expect him to do very well this weekend, and I can't see him not going to nationals."
