Injury-ridden Walker leaps ahead

So far in 2011, illnesses, injuries and even the cold weather can’t slow down the UNM track and field team.

The Lobos had another positive performance Friday during the Don Kirby Invitational at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Much like last weekend, De’Vron Walker’s accomplishments
headlined the meet. After breaking the school record in the 60-meter hurdles last week, Walker shaved 14 hundredths of a second from his fastest time, finishing in 7.94.

“I came in here today with that mind-frame and that mentality,” he said. “I got the school record last week, broke my own record. Let’s see if I can do it again this week.”

Walker has been plagued by injuries and said he is still only 85-90 percent healthy, which, if true, could mean more broken records in the future.

Head coach Joe Franklin acknowledged that Walker was sick coming into the race, but just kept going.

“He has done great this whole year,” he said. “It shows you how determined he is.”

Walker wasn’t the only runner to break his own record.
Precious Selmon, who competed in the 60-meter hurdles for the women, ran a time of 8.41 to break the school record she set in December 2009.

That impressive run in the preliminary rounds helped her to reach the finals, but she struggled in the final heat and finished sixth.

Selmon said her remarkable start but disappointing finish will motivate her for the conference championships in late February.
“The bulk of my hamstring actually caught the hurdle as I was going over,” she said. “In the 60, if you hit a hurdle, it’s over.”
Even with the broken records, the Lobos managed only one first-place finish in all events. In a field with powerhouses Texas, Stanford and Ohio State, UNM’s Gabe Aragon came away with a win.

For the first three laps of the 800-meter race, Aragon stayed in second place and in the final lap he accelerated. He beat teammate Sam Evans to get there.

“I had a lot left for a kick at the last lap,” he said. “So that was a good sign.”

Franklin said he is content with how his team has performed against tough competition, regardless of outcome.
“It shows that they care,” he said. “They want to run with the best, and they’re doing it, which is great.”