Sports

Sports

A look at the Lobos and New Mexico athletes in the Paris Olympics

Leila Chapa and Paloma Chapa | August 19

Sixteen athletes with connections to New Mexico competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The athletes represent 10 different countries, many of whom are former Lobos. Here is a breakdown of the Olympic sports that New Mexico athletes competed in. Track and field Weini Kelati is a former University of New Mexico cross country athlete originally from Eritrea; at 27 years old she represented the United States in Paris. As a Lobo, she was the Mountain West individual champion and was the conference’s Athlete of The Year twice, according to Go Lobos.

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Sports

Football: New look for the Lobos

Rodney Prunty | August 12

The 2023-2024 season was disappointing for the New Mexico Lobos football team. They finished the season with a record of 4-8, ending on a 44-41 loss to Utah State. Shortly after that, the University of New Mexico decided to part ways with Head Coach Danny Gonzales. Gonzales had an abysmal tenure with the Lobos. He had an 11-32 record over four seasons as head coach and was not once able to win more than four games in a season. With the firing of Gonzales, the Lobos went on a coaching hunt, and decided to hire former Brigham Young University and University of Virginia Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall stepped away from coaching for two seasons after coaching six seasons with Virginia, but is now back looking to improve his record.

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Sports

The origin of Lobo Louie

Addison Fulton | July 26

Across the United States, over 172 sports teams – from high school to college to professional – have a wolf as their mascot, according to the Mascot Database. While the University of New Mexico’s mascot is also a wolf, the Lobo has a unique history and connection to New Mexico. UNM was founded in 1889, but for its first 30 years, the University had no official mascot. The sports teams were known only as “The University Boys” or “Varsities,” according to the UNM Traditions website. In the fall of 1920, George S. Bryan, the student manager of the football team and editor of UNM Weekly – which would later become the Daily Lobo – suggested “Lobo” as the name and mascot of the teams.

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Sports

OPINION: The 5 greatest Lobo men’s basketball players

Rodney Prunty | July 22

Since the University of New Mexico basketball program began in 1899, many great players have graced The Pit’s court to put on a gameday performance. However, five stand out from the rest. An honorable mention goes to Jaelen House who had an incredible career with the Lobos, winning multiple accolades and leading his team to an NCAA tournament appearance. 5. Kenny Thomas Thomas played all four years with the Lobos and showed out each season, always averaging double-digit points. In his senior season, he averaged a double-double. But in the whole of his career, Thomas averaged 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

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Sports

United can’t get it done against LAFC in the U.S. Open

Rodney Prunty | July 15

New Mexico United went head-to-head against Los Angeles Football Club in the United States Open Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, July 10, ultimately losing 3-1. Going into the game, United was seen as the underdog because LAFC plays in Major League Soccer — a league above United. On top of that, LAFC is touted as the potential winner of the U.S. open. United had a tough challenge ahead, but one thing in their favor was the large number of fans that traveled to California to support the team.

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Sports

Breaking down the Mountain West broadcast deal with TNT

Thomas Bulger | July 10

The Mountain West Conference announced a multi-year football partnership with TNT Sports on Monday, July 1. This upcoming season, the company will broadcast 14 games, according to a MWC press release. Alongside CBS and FOX, TNT is the third broadcast company working with the MWC. Two major factors played into the deal: conference realignment and TNT potentially losing out on NBA coverage.

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Sports

Tough sledding for the Rockies and Isotopes halfway through the season

Rodney Prunty | July 1

Editor’s note: The statistics in this story are current as of Sunday, June 30. The Colorado Rockies and the Albuquerque Isotopes have not found much success halfway through both of their respective seasons so far. The Rockies are last in the National League and second-to-last in the entire MLB. The Isotopes finished at the bottom of the barrel in the first half of the Pacific Coast League season, going 26-49.

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Sports

Isotopes start second half with a series split

Thomas Bulger | July 1

The Albuquerque Isotopes started the second half of their season on Monday, June 24 against the Salt Lake Bees. The Isotopes finished last in the Pacific Coast League first half with a record of 26-49. When asked about what he liked about the first half of the season, Isotopes Manager Pedro Lopez said he liked how often the team got on base. But finding hits with runners in scoring position is the next step, he said. “We definitely ran the bases really well in the first half and that allowed us to be in a lot of games but unfortunately we just couldn't get that big hit,” Lopez said.

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Sports

Greg Hurst is an influential part of the NM United family

Leila Chapa | June 24

Before he was the club’s top goal-scorer, Greg Hurst had a journey representing many clubs. In 2023, he committed to representing the black and yellow. Born and raised in Stirling, Scotland, Hurst grew up playing soccer with his family, starting at an early age. “Soccer has always been something that’s been in my family. My brother played, my dad played, so just out in the backyard playing with my brother and my dad, I fell in love with it. At that point and from then on, I figured that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, hopefully,” Hurst said.

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Sports

New Mexico United falls short in heated international friendly vs. FC Juarez

Paloma Chapa | June 24

On the gusty evening of Wednesday, June 19, New Mexico United battled it out with FC Juarez in what became a close and physical match in front of over 10,000 fans. United fought to keep the score close, but ultimately lost 4-2 when FC Juarez was awarded a late penalty kick from a hand-ball call – which sparked criticism of the referee by both players and fans. Midfielder #17 Manuel Castro scored the penalty kick in the 86th minute. FC Juarez presumably sealed their victory with three first-half goals, making the score 3-0 at half time. The match grew tense when United closed the score margin to 3-2 in the second half. Multiple players from both teams received yellow cards, and one United player and a team staff member were given red cards.

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Sports

RECAP: Habtom Samuel runs past competition his freshman year

Thomas Bulger | June 21

The 2023-24 academic year was an incredible one for University of New Mexico runner Habtom Samuel. After he arrived at UNM, he wasted no time dominating the scene. His freshman year came to a close with an NCAA Championship, but he picked up many other accomplishments along the way. Cross country Sept. 22, 2023 Samuel ran his first race as a Lobo and made a statement by winning the Roy Griak Invitational. Samuel won the 8K race by 24 seconds, kicking off the cross country season strong. It was the fastest winning time since 2011, according to a news release by the UNM cross country team, and a sign for things to come.

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Sports

Three Team USA boxers punch their tickets to the Olympics

Rodney Prunty | June 17

The USA boxing team set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics is a talented and skilled group that includes established fighters Omari Jones, Jennifer Lozano and Jahmal Harvey. Omari Jones Jones is from Orlando, Florida, and is a speedy technician in the ring. He’ll throw a flurry of combinations – catching his opponents often while also displaying quick defensive skills. Jones originally found boxing inspiration in Muhammad Ali, he said.

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Sports

Lobo spring sports recap

Rodney Prunty | June 14

This year, spring sports at the University of New Mexico — which include baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field — had a lot of highs and lows. Baseball The Lobos baseball team finished this season with an overall record of 28-26 going 17-13 in the Mountain West Conference. They finished second in the conference in Head Coach Tod Brown’s third season with the team. In the Mountain West Tournament, the Lobos lost to the San Jose State Spartans 5-8 and the Fresno State Bulldogs 1-6.

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Sports

Lobo legend Drew Gordon passes away at 33

Thomas Bulger | June 7

Former University of New Mexico men’s basketball player Drew Gordon passed away on Thursday, May 30, due to a car accident in Portland, Oregon. Gordon was a Lobo in the final two seasons of his college career and helped lead the program to a NCAA tournament win. Gordon was born in San Jose, California. There, he played basketball for Archbishop Mitty High School and was the star player. He won three league championships during his time there, according to the Mercury News.  He averaged over a double-double in his college career, leading to him being named a McDonald’s All-American and playing the Jordan Brand classic.

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Sports

OPINION: The three most memorable NBA finals runs of all time

Rodney Prunty | June 5

Throughout the years in the NBA, 21 franchises have won one or multiple NBA championships. Along with that, there have been numerous memorable championship runs over time — some more memorable than others. This year’s finals matchup is the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Boston Celtics. Not all championship runs are built the same. Inspired by the Celtics’ path of not facing a team at full strength, I wanted to look back at some of the most impressive runs in NBA history. Three of these are the 2011 Dallas Mavericks, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers.

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Sports

Men’s basketball: the Pitino era continues

Thomas Bulger | May 13

After three seasons of improvement year-to-year, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach, Richard Pitino, agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. The extension follows the team's most successful season in a decade, earning their first National Collegiate Athletics Association tournament appearance since 2014. In a May 7 press release, UNM Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez credited the program’s success as the driving factor in the extension.

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Sports

Women's basketball: embracing a new era

Rodney Prunty | April 29

The last time the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team played was March 11 against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Tournament. Unfortunately for the Lobos, they lost that game 67-56, ending their season. What has followed with the team can best be described as a mass exodus, with a total of eight players are departing — seven through the transfer portal. The one player who is not leaving via the transfer portal is guard Aniyah Augmon. Augmon is deciding to forgo her senior year to graduate and pursue other passions outside of basketball. The biggest losses to the transfer portal for the Lobos are guard Nyah Wilson and forward Paula Reus, who both were significant parts of the team. Other players who are leaving through the transfer portal include Natalia Chavez, Nahawa Diarra Berthe, Mackenzie Curtis, Hannah Robbins and Jaelyn Bates.

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Sports

Women's basketball: embracing a new era

Rodney Prunty | April 29

The last time the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team played was March 11 against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Tournament. Unfortunately for the Lobos, they lost that game 67-56, ending their season. What has followed with the team can only be described as a mass exodus, as a total of eight players are departing — seven of those through the transfer portal. The one player who is not leaving via the transfer portal is guard Aniyah Augmon. Augmon is deciding to forgo her senior year to graduate and pursue other passions outside of basketball.

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Sports

The Savannah Bananas peel into Albuquerque

Francesca Cicconetti and Elizabeth Secor | April 26

The social media and baseball stars, the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals, made their Albuquerque debut to a sold-out crowd at Isotopes Stadium, bringing Bananaland to the Land of Enchantment. The teams played on April 20 and 21, selling out the stadium both days. Banana Ball is different from your typical game of baseball. There’s a pitcher and a batter, and the goal is to make it around the bases and back to home plate, but there are many different rules and flares in the game that make it the show it is.

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Sports

Finding work-life balance as a student-athlete

Francesca Cicconetti | April 22

Being a student-athlete is a full-time job and a demanding status to maintain – student first, athlete second. But often the separation between the two roles can be blurred. The best way to stay on track and not fall behind is to establish a healthy work-life balance. Work-life balance is “equal time or priority to personal and professional activities,” a  Forbes article states. For student-athletes, personal and professional activities become one; their sport is their passion but they have to learn to balance it with academics. University of New Mexico senior and catcher for the baseball team, Kyle Smith, said that his work-life balance emphasizes defining time for his personal needs and not getting tunnel vision when it comes to baseball.