For the UNM track and field team, this weekend’s meet was the equivalent of a college-prep test, and the Lobos already look to be in top shape.
Runner Ross Millington became the second UNM athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile, clocking a time of 3:59.8 on Friday in Bloomington, Ind. Lee Emanuel is the only other UNM runner to accomplish that feat.
Back home at the Albuquerque Convention Center, sophomore De’Vron Walker ran an impressive time in the men’s 60-meter hurdle (8.14), finishing in third place and just behind his all-time record of 8.09.
Walker said he is recovering from a sprained muscle in his right leg.
“It’s so far, so good,” Walker said. “We have a pretty solid women’s team, and our men’s team is getting together slowly but surely.”
Runners Ruth Senior and Gabe Aragon finished with top-five times in the nation. Senior won the women’s 3,000-meter run in 9:31, the 10th-best time among Division I athletes this winter — and just over the Convention Center record (9:30.21). Aragon finished first in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:49.68 to place first and rank 12th nationally.
The Lobos competed against a field composed of teams from the Western Athletic Conference, Pac-10, Big 12 and Nike and Adidas athletes.
Nike runner Josh Norman wowed fans at the Convention Center during his preliminary 60 meter-dash finishing in 6.61 seconds, one of the world’s fastest times.
“It’s great getting all these athletes to compete at this event,” Head Coach Joe Franklin said. “We got to witness one of the fastest runners and also prepare for the Mountain West Conference (meet).”
Franklin said the early success is nice, but more than anything he is emphasizing conditioning to prepare for the season’s later stages.
“It’s just making sure we stay healthy for the big races later this season,” he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
