University of New Mexico track & field and cross country star Habtom Samuel announced Tuesday that he would be leaving the University after completing his junior year to begin his professional career via a statement on social media.
Samuel, an Eritrean native who competed as a Lobo for his entire collegiate career, would have had a fourth year of eligibility remaining, and in remarks to the media last month said he would “definitely” return next season for UNM, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
Those remarks came after first-place finishes in both the men’s 5,000- and 10,000-meter races at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Samuel was also announced last week as the Mountain West Male Athlete of the Year, having taken multiple titles at the indoor and outdoor conference championships last season.
“After (an) unforgettable journey as a student-athlete, I have made the decision to pursue my dream and officially turn professional,” Samuel wrote on Instagram. “I'm incredibly grateful to my family, coaches, teammates, the University of New Mexico, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Thank you for believing in me every step of the way. “
Comments on the post announcing the move include well-wishes from current and former teammates, like UNM distance runner Natalie Bitetti and former Lobo Ishmael Kipkurui.
Despite signing a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) with athletic equipment brand HOKA last year, Albuquerque Journal staff writer Sean Reider said on X that he had been told Samuel had not signed a professional deal with the company.
UNM Track & Field Head Coach Darren Gauson told the Journal on Tuesday that while he expected that HOKA would want to keep Samuel as an ambassador, he expected a “high interest level” from other brands.
“I think it was one of those (situations) where … your market value is really high and there’s really nothing left to prove or do, I think he just started to have some doubts (about coming back),” Gauson said about Samuel’s decision to leave UNM. “You like to think you’re indestructible, you’re never going to get an injury but … I think when you’ve dominated the NCAA like he has, it’s like, ‘alright, it’s time to move on and test myself against the next level of athletes.’”
Samuel will leave UNM as one of the most decorated athletes in the University’s history, and the first ever to win four national championships in a single season for the Lobos, according to UNM Newsroom. He holds the school records for the fastest indoor 3,000- and 5,000-meter and outdoor 5,000-meter finishes.
Elliott Wood is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or @DailyLobo on X
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