The UNM track-and-field team began the new year with an impressive showing.
Fifth-year senior Sandy Fortner led the women, placing first in the women’s long jump and 60-meter dash, while Raffi Cote highlighted a strong performance for the men by defeating Nike-sponsored runner Galen Rupp in the men’s 800-meter run during the Lobo Opener inside the Albuquerque Convention Center. This was UNM’s first of six home meets.
UNM will also host the 2010 Mountain West Conference Championships as well as the USA Indoor Championships.
“It’s always interesting, when you have the first competition in track and field, because you are trying to figure out where people are,” said UNM head track-and-field coach Joe Franklin. “We have a very long holiday break here at UNM, but it went very well (on Saturday). We were 70 percent better at our events than what we were at this time last year, and I think we competed really well.”
Franklin was particularly impressed with Cote, who beat out Rupp — a former track star at the University of Oregon, who was a six-time NCAA Champion and won the 2009 Bowerman award, the most prestigious award in college track and field.
“It’s a huge deal to beat a Nike contracted guy when you are a freshman at UNM,” Franklin said. “At least, I think it is a pretty big deal.”
One of the races on Saturday came down to a photo finish.
Juniors Brian Wilson and Richard York provided a one-two punch in the finals of the 60-meter hurdles, both finishing first and second with times of 8.52 and 8.53, respectively.
For the women, freshman Precious Selmon ran a 7.76 in the 60-meter dash, good for first place.
Selmon was joined by fellow freshman Shirley Pitts with a great finish in the 200-meter. Pitts was the top finisher in the 200 with a time of 25.56.
Beside the usual competitors, Ty Kirk also competed on Saturday.
Kirk, who is also a wide receiver on the UNM football team, competed in the triple jump and long jump and the preliminary round of the 60-meter dash.
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Though he finished sixth in the 60-meter dash, Kirk said he enjoys being a two-sport.
“I feel good and I am glad to do indoor (track events) this year,” Kirk said. “I was excited to be in the 60 today and it was good to get a little running in.”
Kirk said running in track is different than running in football, but it will be a welcomed tradition.
“In football, you got to run with a lean, because if you run straight up, you are going to get popped,” he said. “The coaches have been teaching me to run straight up and run on my heels and my toes. So, it has been a little difficult for me to adjust.”
