With UNM football receiving most of the attention during the fall semester, it's easy to overlook smaller sports such as cross country.
But the UNM men's cross country team has a pre-season ranking at No. 15 in the U.S. The ranking is the highest UNM has had since 1989, and it's the first appearance in the national poll since 2004.
"A ranking is a ranking - it's great," head coach Joe Franklin said. "It shows that people around the country are talking about New Mexico."
The Lobos opened the season with a great performance at home during the Lobo Invitational on Sept. 6.
Although the Lobo Invitational was an exhibition meet, UNM defeated heavily favored Conference USA opponent UTEP. Yet, both sides sat key starters.
The Lobos' first meet is on Sept. 20 in the Kachina Classic in Las Cruces.
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UNM faces a big challenge in replacing runner Jeremy Johnson.
Johnson won the MWC Championship in October.
Johnson was the biggest standout on the men's team last year, but senior Mat Ashton is optimistic for the 2008 season.
"I think this year we have two or three guys that can do what (Johnson) did," Ashton said. "Jeremy is Jeremy. I think we have a more rounded team this year."
Two other Lobos to keep tabs on are Jacob Kirwa and Nicky Archer, who were named Athletes of the Week earlier this month.
Kirwa finished second in the Lobo Invitational, covering the 8,000-meter course in 24:44.78.
Archer led the women's 5,000-meter race throughout, winning with a time of 18:17.66.
The women's cross country team is optimistic about their chances this year.
Lobo Carolyn Boosey boasted about Archer, who transferred from BYU.
"Nicky is awesome," Boosey said. "She has come from marathon and half-marathon running to doing 5,000-meter races. She already has the endurance base the team needs."
Franklin said the team can control its destiny.
"We have to have things in line in order to make the national championship," he said. "We have some more work to do."
