by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Aaron Brack is too much of a competitor to take time off.
That's why for the past two years the senior has been a part of the UNM track and field team despite enduring a strenuous football season.
While it would be easy for most athletes to take a break after one season, Brack said he enjoys racing too much to take any time off.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"I've been wanting to run track since I first got here," he said. "Last year I proved how fast I could run, so this year I just felt like I should come out for the whole season and see where I could put myself."
Brack is one of a handful of Lobo football players to compete during the track season and quickly established himself as one of the fastest athletes on the track team during the 2005 outdoor season. The senior continues to improve and ran a career best time of 10.57 in the 100-meter run at Saturday's UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
Brack said UNM head football coach Rocky Long did not allow him to run track until last year because of his grades. Brack said he straightened his grades out and was excited about the opportunity to join his fellow Lobos on the track.
"Honestly, I've liked track since I ran AAU summer track as a little boy," he said. "It's just something I've always done."
Brack graduated from Austin Del Valle High School where he competed in track and football. Brack said doing both sports in high school was a major factor for him wanting to try both at the collegiate level.
"That was a great experience," he said. "I never really got bored. I never felt like I was out of shape, and I felt like I was always in competition."
UNM track and field associate head coach Mark Henry, who works with the team's sprinters, said he was pleased Brack decided to join the team.
"We always try to get a bunch of those football players," Henry said. "When we knew Aaron had done well in high school it was even more exciting."
Brack said one of the reasons he decided to compete in track is because it keeps him sharp for football season.
"Track can only help you. It can't hurt you," he said. "It can only make you better."
Henry said he understands there is a difference between football shape and track shape, and that it takes time to adjust between seasons. He said Brack has run fast, but has yet to reach his full potential this season.
"There's a lot of talent there," he said. "You knew eventually he'd have something, and he's just going to keep getting a whole lot better."
Brack said he expects to hit his peak in time for the Mountain West Conference meet. He likes the competition, but really enjoys the company of other athletes on the team, he said.
"It's been a blast, just as far as the team," he said. "I love the team. I like being out here with them. I like traveling with them."
Though his teammates and coaches are easy to get along with, Brack knows when it's time to get down to business. Brack said he wants to leave a mark on his senior season and help make a name for the Lobo sprinters.
"As far as getting on the track and doing what I got to do, I know it's time to put UNM on the map," he said. "There's a lot of people who don't think we got fast people out here, but we do."
