The New Mexico men’s and women’s track and field squad will hit the ground running on the newly resurfaced track to compete for the first time this year at home on Friday.
Head coach Joe Franklin, in his ninth year of coaching the team, said that, overall, the team is healthy and excited to face competition. He said they will get a good test by facing strong competition right out of the gate. The head coach said that stiff competition and being home will both benefit the team.
“The teams that come in to Albuquerque are the best in the country, and they’ve really grown to be the best-run meets in the country,” Franklin said. “What’s great for us is the kids don’t have to travel, we don’t miss school and (they) are at home on literally one of the best tracks in the world.”
That recipe may work well toward extending the teams’ success as the Lobos will be home for their first four meets. The men’s squad enters the year as the three-time defending Mountain West champions, and the women hold the same distinction for two years running.
Franklin said pressure to extend those streaks shouldn’t be an issue. He said this weekend is an opportunity to find out where the athletes are. Afterward they can make assessments and identify what adjustments need to be made.
“This is our test,” he said. “Figure out where you are and what you need to do to get better.”
Franklin said they will focus on the things that are in their control. The goal will be to stay healthy, compete hard, perform well at the Mountain West Indoor Championships and hopefully go to the national championships.
Holly Van Grinsven competes in the hurdles and in the 400 meter dash. She said she agrees that coming in with a title to defend doesn’t really factor into preparation or change anything.
She said the key to success is to have high standards while also setting realistic expectations. She said the goal is to do your best and improve from meet to meet.
Van Grinsven said even though they take off some time in the spring, the season is a long one. She said she thinks the hard work makes it worth it because she appreciates the highs and the lows that come with competing.
She said she is really excited to see what the team has to offer, and everyone has been training really hard and she is looking forward to seeing it pay off. Individually she said she is looking forward to progressing throughout the season and hopefully make it to the national championships.
“I think everyone is ready to go. This meet will be a good way to determine what you need to work on, and get a feel for what you need to do the rest of the season,” she said.
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She said the team is very good at encouraging each other and pushing each other to reach its full potential. She said she thinks the team environment is something that is uniquely special at UNM. She said other schools might have that bond, but she hasn’t seen it displayed the way it is at UNM.
“You are winning it for yourself, but it feels even better when you are winning it for your team,” she said.
The Cherry and Silver Invitational is an all-day event that will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday and Saturday.
Robert Maler is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers cross country, tennis, and track and field. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @robert_maler.
