The New Mexico track and field team will travel to the Sun Angel Classic in Arizona, but the level of expectation now may not be as high as some might think.
“A lot of times, when you least expect it something good happens,” head coach Joe Franklin said.
Franklin said that the team will look to make improvements as they head in to each meet, but had that to say following the Don Kirby Tailwind Invitational.
It was always a true philosophy for a head coach to relieve the stress of the team at the beginning of the season, and gradually put his athletes on the right track.
“We have to start somewhere,” Franklin said. “See where people are and if they are ready to go.”
Some Lobos will join squads that participated in the home meet to action this weekend.
On the men’s side, Ryan Chase will participate in the shot put and 110 meter hurdles.
In the men’s long jump, the Lobos will see leaps from Tanner Battikha, Alejandro Goldston and Samuel Trigg. Trigg will also take part in the triple jump.
The men’s pole vault will consist of three Lobos, Jason Atencio, Nathan Burnett, and John Harari. Nik Aston is to compete in the javelin throw.
Mark Haywood, Isaac Gonzales, Carlos Salcido and Goldston will run together in 400-meter relay.
Battikha will run the 100-meter dash. Goldston, Gonzales, Haywood and Salcidp will all be competing in the 200-meter dash.
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In the 1500 meter run, New Mexico will have Emil Danielsson. The Lobos should expect solid remarks from Cheyne Dorsey and Mustafa Mudada in the 400 meter hurdles.
On the women’s side, Amaris Blount and Alison Mady will both appear in the hammer throw. Mady will also be participating in the shot put.
Shannon Fritz will possibly compete in both the pole vault and high jump. Morgan Smith will compete in the javelin throw.
Jannell Hadnot will have her season debut in the triple jump. Akeisha Ayanniyi is to return to compete in the long jump and 100 meter dash.
Erynn Caldwell and Peri Moran will join Ayanniyi to run in the 100 meter dash.
In the 200 meter dash, Caldwell and Larimar Rodriguez will be seen in action.
Rodriguez and Hanna Riker-Urrutia are both to participate in the 400-meter
In the 1500 meter run, the squads of Kieran Casey, Samantha Dicker, Sophie Eckel and Kendall Kelly will all compete.
Kyra Mohns will be running in both the 100 and 400 meter hurdles.
The second outdoor meet of the season will definitely help New Mexico prepare for the Bryan Clay Invitational in the week after.
Bo Yu is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers beach volleyball, track and field, cross country and volleyball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Bo_YuB.
