Good start to a new year

It was a tuneup of sorts for the UNM track and field team to start the new year.

The Lobos compiled 27 top-three finishes during Saturday’s Lobo Open, the first of five events held at the Albuquerque Convention Center that will ready UNM for the Mountain West Conference Championships.

But sophomore Richard York, who helped the men’s relay team edge UTEP for first place in the 4×400 relay, said the Lobos know this is just the beginning of the season. York, a multi-event athlete, also placed third in the men’s long jump shot put.

“I realize that there’s a lot of places I can improve,” he said. “We use these meets to practice.”

UNM highlights included first-place finishes from senior Ruth Senior, freshman Margo Tucker and the men’s relay team.

UTEP jumped out to a quick start, but the Lobos dominated the second and third legs of the race to put UNM in front for good.

Senior cruised in the mile run, finishing in 4:54.66. Teammate Alex Darling took second in the event. Meanwhile, Tucker out-jumped fellow Lobos Amber Menke and Julia Cook to take first in the pole vault.
Even after losing All-Americans Lee Emanuel and Chris Barnicle last season, the Lobos have high expectations.

Those expectations start with York. He said his goal is to be indoor and outdoor conference champion and place in the top eight at nationals.
“They’re accomplishable,” he said. “It’s great that my coach has that expectation for me, and it just makes me push to do better and try to go even beyond his expectations.”

Precious Selmon is another multi-event athlete with high expectations. The sophomore started off on a high note and took second in the women’s 60-meter hurdles.

“Nationals, that’s by far the most important goal I have this year,” she said.

The Lobos dominated the women’s pole vault and owned the top five spots in the finals, with Tucker taking first.

Shirley Pitts was among other Lobos with top-three finishes. She took third in the women’s 200-meter dash with a time of 24.94. Lobos Alesha Walker and Deanna Young came in second in the long jump and triple jump, respectively.

Kendall Spencer finished second in the long jump, and teammate Brad Maestas took second in the shot put, coupled with a third-place finish in the weight-throw event.

York said the Lobos need to prepare more for their next meet, which is a week away.