by Matthew Kappus
Daily Lobo
It wasn't the toughest competition of the season, but the UNM track and field team won seven events this weekend at its
home meet.
The Albuquerque Convention Center was a quieter place than last week, when the Lobos hosted a dozen of the nation's top track and field teams. This week, only three teams on the women's side and one team on the men's competed against the Lobos.
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UNM didn't get all the teams it wanted to come to the meet, but some Lobos got more experience as a result, head coach Matt
Henry said.
"We had some teams back out on us at the last minute, which hurt the meet," Henry said. "But it gave our team success."
Lobo distance runner Juan Ortega had a solid weekend, taking first place in the men's 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:36.09. The senior from Albuquerque also finished third in the men's one-mile run, clocking in at 4:19.31.
Ortega said that the distance team is focused on the Mountain West Conference Championships, which begin Feb. 22 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
"We can compete with anyone," Ortega said.
Junior Ariel Burr continued her stellar season with a win in the women's 400-meter dash, clocking in at 56.16.
Four other New Mexicans - Jarrin Solomon, Taylor Siemon, Randle McCain, and Kurt Henry - put in a time of 3:13.89 to edge Adams State in the men's 4x400 meter relay.
Henry said he is able to build his program on the talent that is in the state.
"I am very proud of the New Mexico kids on the team," Henry said. "We have got great home-grown talent here. We pretty much can't go wrong when recruiting from this state."
Meanwhile, New Jersey native Tiyana Peters had a career night on Friday, clearing 5-8 3/4 in the high jump. The mark is an all-time best in the sophomore's collegiate career.
Another Lobo who soared to victory Friday was senior Stephanie Setliff. She cleared 3.4 meters in the women's pole vault, while teammate Kelly Armstrong finished second, clearing
3.2 meters.
The Dennis Heimrich Invitational was the fourth meet hosted by UNM this season. With two meets left in the regular season, plus a finale at the conference championships, Lobos like Solomon are looking to make qualifying times for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Although Solomon took first place in the men's 400-meter dash, his time of 47.65 was not good enough to qualify him for the NCAAs.
"I should be able to qualify soon," Solomon said.
The junior, who was an NCAA regional qualifier his freshman year, will have another opportunity to qualify next week at the TCR Invitational.
That competition, which begins Friday at the Convention Center, will also give the Lobos a good idea where they stand in the MWC.
Because the Lobos have faced so many talented teams this season, they should be in good shape for the MWC Championships, Henry said.
"By the time the conference meet comes around, we will have already run against the very best," he said. "We will be ready for it."
