Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Lobos pick up first conference win

Thomas Bulger | October 2

The University of New Mexico's soccer team beat the Air Force Academy Falcons in their first home conference match 2-1. The Lobos improved to a 1-1-2 conference record and 4-2-4 record overall. The Lobos were resilient; they were outshot 13-11 and were down 1-0 at halftime but two second-half goals from Sofia Roberts and Paris Dalton won the match. The game was tied 1-1 when Dalton scored the game-winning goal on a free kick.

Sports

Lobos take Boise State in four

Francesca Cicconetti | October 2

Lobos finished off set three on a three point scoring run, winning the set 25-20. UNM’s Libero Giselle Groe showed out in the last set. She got an ace, bringing the Lobos up 9-5 and later on had an amazing save, allowing the Lobos to maintain a five point lead against the Broncos, 14-9. The Lobos won the set and the match on a three point scoring run to end the set 25-20. The match was won on a service ace by Guereca, closing out the day with another win for the Lobos.

Sports

New Mexico runs laps over the Mountain West Cross Country awards

Ryan Grossetete | October 2

University of New Mexico Cross Country runners Nicola Jansen and Habtom Samuel are both named Mountain West Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, Sept. 26 after their performance at the Roy Griak Invitational. Jansen earned the title of Women’s Athlete of the Week and Samuel received the honor of Men’s Athlete of the Week, NCAA Runner of the Week and Freshman of the Week. This is the first time that UNM athletes have won both the MW Men’s and Women’s Athlete of the Week award since 2014.

Sports

Isotopes show love to their fans with back to back wins

BillyJack Davidson | September 27

In the fifth game of their last series, on Saturday, Sept. 23, the Isotopes play the Oklahoma City Dodgers. The ‘topes go into the series ranking third in the Pacific Coast League East, and play well, looking to close out the second half of the season on a high note. The game also is the second night of the Isotopes Fan Appreciation weekend, giving out free jerseys and a fireworks show to end the night.

Sports

Hispanic athletes on representation in sports at UNM

Rodney Prunty | September 24

A week into Hispanic Heritage Month, Uxue Guereca, Zach Vigil and Nahawa Diarra Berthe, who are all Hispanic Athletes at University of New Mexico, discussed their experiences and representing their culture through their respective sports. Hispanic Heritage Month spans from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and is centered around celebration and representation of Hispanic culture. Outside hitter for the women’s volleyball team, Guereca is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and is in her senior year at UNM. Despite having multiple scholarship offers to play for other schools, Guereca chose UNM to be “closer to home.” On the volleyball court she said she strives to represent her culture with her style of play.

Sports

Dylan Hopkins looks good in cherry

Francesca Cicconetti | September 18

University of New Mexico senior Dylan Hopkins is the new quarterback for the Lobos and is ready to make his mark at UNM. Before coming to UNM, Hopkins played for the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) where he lettered for three years and redshirted for one. He spent five years in UAB’s football program with Bryant Vincent who is now UNM’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Throughout his years at UAB, Hopkins was able to build a relationship with Vincent that has carried over to UNM. “It’s about relationships, it’s not just about X’s and O’s. The last five years that we’ve spent together – obviously we’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but we're extremely close and we have a great relationship,” Vincent said.

Sports

Football: After loss against rivals, Gonzales guarantees a bowl game

Thomas Bulger | September 18

The University of New Mexico lost 27-17 at home against the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday, Sept. 16. Going into the game, the Lobos were favored to win by 2.5. Head Coach Danny Gonzales fell to a 1-2 record against the Aggies while Aggies Coach Jerry Kill advanced to 2-0. NMSU Head Coach Kill had experienced health issues early in the week and it was called into question if he was able to coach the game. During the game, Kill was struck by a football and fell to the ground but immediately stood back up and went looking for a referee to fight for his players. In his post-game press conference, Coach Gonzales still had unwavering confidence in the team.

Sports

New look for offense wins their first game of the season

Thomas Bulger | September 11

The University of New Mexico’s football team defeated the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 56-10. It was the home debut of the new offense led by Bryant Vincent at offensive coordinator and Dylan Hopkins at quarterback – both transfers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. The Golden Eagles play in the Ohio Valley Conference in Football Conference Subdivision. They haven’t had a winning season since 2011. There were 17,279 fans in attendance, which is the most in a home opener since 2018.

News

Stanford and California leave Pac-12

Lily Alexander | September 5

Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley left the Pacific-12 Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday Sept. 1. This paves the way for the Pac-12’s two remaining schools, Oregon State University and Washington State University, to join a new conference or create their own. The MWC and the American Athletic Conference originally stood as the top two contenders to take Oregon and Washington State, according to CBS. Comments made by AAC commissioner Michael Aresco on Friday seemed to remove them from the equation.

Sports

Second sweep of the season for Lobo Volleyball

Francesca Cicconetti | September 5

The University of New Mexico volleyball team secured their second sweep of the season, winning 3-0 against the St. John’s Red Storm on Friday, Sept. 1. The match took place on day two of the Lobo Invitational. The Lobos came in strong after going 2-1 against the University of California, Irvine Invitational the weekend before.

News

What is going on with college athletic conference realignments?

Lily Alexander and Maddie Pukite | August 27

Listed to improve athlete welfare, the athletics department Research and Public Service Projects Funding request was increased by $3.5 million from last year. This increase comes amidst conversations about the potential realignment of the Mountain West Conference. “With the recent changes in membership composition in several conferences, the Mountain West is exploring all opportunities to strengthen the league, including through the addition of new member schools,” MWC Board of Directors statement from Aug. 9 reads, which President Garnett Stokes serves as the chair of. The MWC is one of 10 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conferences with some independent programs. Its uncertain future follows the reorganization of the Pacific 12 Conference, now left with four teams.

Sports

Even the rain couldn’t stop United’s heat

BillyJack Davidson | August 27

The Tulsa Football Club Roughnecks came to town this past Saturday, Aug. 26, playing against our boys in black and gold and were sent home after a 2-1 loss. Not even the rain in the first half could stop United from bringing the heat. Dark clouds and a light rain started off the match at the Rio Grande Credit Union, but thankfully for United, the game would go on no matter what. By the second minute, #33 Harry Swartz was immediately able to take control of the ball and sink it into the net, causing Isotopes Stadium to erupt, and the game was off with a bang.

Sports

Lobos dominate New Mexico Highlands 4-0 in exhibition match

BillyJack Davidson and Francesca Cicconetti | August 20

The University of New Mexico Women’s volleyball team played in an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 19 against the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls. Following last season’s exhibition victory against the Cowgirls, the Lobos won 4-0 for the second year in a row. UNM’s volleyball team had a strong season last year, going 17-12 in the regular season and 8-10 in conference play. The Lobos finished the season in fifth place, making the University’s second appearance in a row in the Mountain West Tournament.

Sports

OPINION: 2023 Lobo’s football schedule predictions

Thomas Bulger | August 14

The University of New Mexico football team will begin to get back on track after a 2 - 10 season last year. This year on their schedule, six of the teams they played against went to bowl games, two were last season division winners and three are teams that go by the nickname “Aggies.”

Sports

NM United: Reigning champions come to town, United drops game 3 - 0

BillyJack Davidson | August 14

The New Mexico United’s 22nd match of the season took place on Aug. 12 against the current second ranked team in the Western Division – San Antonio FC. The game went long with minute before half time and an extra seven minutes additional by the end – still not enough time for the boys in black and gold. United lost to San Antonio 3 - 0; all three goals were made in the first half, the first made within the two minute mark.

Sports

Confrontation and comradery, Duke City Championship

Sydney Walker | July 16

Duke City Championship Wrestling was an all-ages event, action-packed with dramatic confrontations that kept the crowd cheering. Held at the Historic El Rey Theater on July 15, Fred Slow, co-owner of DCCW and promoter, said there were over 400 people in attendance. Mosh Pit Mike started professionally wrestling in Albuquerque 22 years ago with his best friend, Hobo Hank. He said his favorite part about wrestling for the DCCW is the reactions during the matches. “I get to wrestle here for the people I love and the city I love. It’s awesome. I think Albuquerque is ready to be a wrestling town again,” Mosh Pit Mike said.

Sports

Albuquerque Aardvarks are a local institution

Maddie Pukite | July 14

The Albuquerque Aardvarks, established in 1973, meet weekly to practice rugby on Johnson field. The origin of the team's name has been forgotten, “Bear” said, but the story is that someone flipped through a dictionary to the first animal with the letter A, although nothing is certain. Fables and stories are a common practice around the team, many also using rugby names like Bear or Chonch which originated out of college and high school rugby clubs. Josh “Chonch” Lamb said the name stuck and just became what he was known as. Bear said that the name helped him on the field as well.

Sports

Duke City Championship Wrestling makes its presence known

Sydney Walker | July 9

Duke City Championship Wrestling is presenting a “Clash of Titans” tag-team showdown at the historic El Rey Theater on July 15. This all ages event will host eight professional wrestling matches inside the ring. Jerry Herrera, a professional wrestler, expects this upcoming event to be just as big as the first one. The overall goal for him and his local wrestlers is to make professional wrestling a more well known sport in Albuquerque, Herrera said. “Hopefully they (fans) are ready for the second show – more action, more wrestlers, more competition and more entertainment,” Herrera said.

Sports

The Suika Circuit track is revving its engine

BillyJack Davidson | July 6

EDITORS NOTE: A previous version of this story said that Andrew Sanford was the new owner of the Suika Circuit. This has sense been changed, and as The Suika Circuit is owned by Dan Brockett, Jim Guthrie and Mike Ossell since Feb. 2023, according to the Rio Rancho Observer. The article has been updated with the corect owner. Just outside of Albuquerque city limits is the Suika Circuit, formerly known as the Sandia Speedway. It's now under new ownership of Dan Brockett, Jim Guthrie and Mike Ossell and is starting to bounce back and start racing. July 1 was the first one-day event to kick off the refurbished pavement track. Members of Southwest Motorsport Inc. came out with their racing cars for their monthly races. The original Sandia Speedway location hosts events throughout each month on the 1.7 mile long pavement or the slightly smaller dirt track. On July 1, the modified street cars were put on the 14 turn pavement – a tricky course.

Opinion

Opinion: Albuquerque should be a target for WNBA expansion

Thomas Bulger | July 5

The Women’s National Basketball Association season is in full swing and nearing the league’s All-Star game on July 15. While the league celebrates their top talent, it is a good time to recognize what the gauntlet athletes have to endure to reach that point. With only 144 roster spots across the 12 team league, talented players are waived before they get a chance to develop. Just 15 players from the three round draft made the roster for the team. In the cutthroat league, prospects have to help their teams win from the jump. With limited spots, teams will opt for players with no weaknesses, which leaves players like Brea Beal without a team.