Sports - The Daily Lobo

UNM swimming and diving team members dive into the pool during a race against Colorado State at Thursday’s swim meet in Armond H. Seidler Natatorium.

Sports

Plunging into great depths

Brandon Call | November 2

The Armond H. Seidler Natatorium might seem like just another building on UNM’s campus. But to the Lobo swimming and diving team, it’s a place to call home. After two years of practicing at West Mesa High School and other pools in Albuquerque while Seidler was renovated, the Lobos returned to their campus pool and blasted Northern Colorado out of the water 244-180 on Thursday. “You always feel more comfortable and confident at home,” said senior diver Sasha Evangulova.

UNM men’s golfer James Erkenbeck gazes into the distance. Erkenbeck, who throughout most of his life played soccer, focused on golf in high school. He finished his third straight tournament with a top-10 finish in the Baylor Intercollegiate on Tuesday.

Sports

Soccer player aspires towards golf career

Loretta Cardenas | October 30

Sophomore James Erkenbeck has taken eight years to make his interest in playing golf into more than just a fun hobby — now he’s looking to go professional.

Lobo center Erik Cook blocks one of his UNM teammates during the Cherry Silver scrimmage in this file photo. Cook said playing against former head coach Rocky Long, who is now San Diego State’s defensive coordinator, will be peculiar.

Sports

Locksley and team face former head coach Long

Ryan Tomari | October 30

No, it’s not the “Return of the Mack,” the hit 90s song by Mark Morrison — it’s just the return of UNM’s head football coach, Mike Locksley, to a 0-7 team. After a 10-day suspension for being involved in a physical altercation with assistant coach J.B.

UNLV wide receiver Ryan Wolfe hurdles over Lobo safety Frankie Baca in Saturday’s 34-17 drubbing at University Stadium. Wolfe had 11 receptions for 118 yards.

Sports

Lobos' performance warrants disrespect

Isaac Avilucea | October 25

All preliminary evidence points to one thing: Right now, the UNM football team is as malleable as soft-serve. It’s too bad the Lobos don’t play on Sunday, because they would go well with hot fudge.

UNLV backup quarterback Mike Clausen is hauled down by linebacker Carmen Messina and a group of Lobo gang-tackling defenders. Messina had 17 tackles and a sack, but the Lobos couldn’t overcome a late punt-return fumble and fell to 0-7 overall.

Sports

Interim coach: Defeat due to lack of momentum

Ryan Tomari | October 25

Subtracting head coach Mike Locksley from the mix didn’t add up to a win for the UNM football team.

Sports

UNLV leaves Lobos in losing streak

Mario Trujillo | October 25

The Lobo Football team is supposed to be in the winning business. But judging by the first seven games, business ain’t a-boomin’. With the 34-17 loss to UNLV, the Lobos join the ranks of only four other teams who remain winless in Division I football this season. “Definitely, when you go 0-7, there is disappointment in the team,” linebacker Carmen Messina said.

Jade Michaelsen sets up Lobo teammate Ashley Rhoades during UNM’s 3-2 loss to Colorado State on Saturday at Johnson Gym. The Lobos are 14-8 overall and 5-5 in the Mountain West Conference.

Sports

Tearful loss crushes chances for MWC title

Brandon Call | October 25

The UNM volleyball team went toe-to-toe with No. 25 Colorado State on Saturday at Johnson Gym. Despite junior outside hitter Taylor Hadfield’s career-high 21 kills, the Lobos dropped a 3-2 — 25-18, 18-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-11 — heartbreaker. The outcome brought tears of disappointment from several UNM players, but the hard-fought match drew a standing ovation from more than 2,000 fans in attendance. “We battled for it,” head coach Jeff Nelson said.

Sports

Hoping for first win at Homecoming

Ryan Tomari | October 22

UNM interim head coach George Barlow said he is going to do everything in his power to help the UNM football team get the first win of the season against UNLV. And that could include gambling early. “I can’t say I won’t go for it on fourth down,” he said.

Phillip McDonald slashes through the lane in this file photo. McDonald will have to have to be more assertive with the basketball this season in order to temper UNM losing three seniors

Sports

Fame found as a Lobo a shock for new player

Isaac Avilucea | October 22

Rarely, if ever, does someone come to Albuquerque to get famous. Enter the curious case of Phillip McDonald, the UNM men’s basketball team’s second-year swingman.

George Barlow strolls down the sidelines on Tuesday at the Lobos’ Indoor Practice Facility. Barlow, UNM’s interim head coach, will wear the headset in place of Mike Locksley during Saturday’s home game against UNLV. Locksley is serving part of his 10-day suspension as a result of his altercation with assistant coach J.B. Gerald.

Sports

Stand-in coach sustains Locksley's lead

Mario Trujillo | October 20

The Lobo ship seems to be guiding itself with interim head football coach George Barlow at the helm. Take a little public relations skills and throw in a travel agent — the result is a 10-day temporary replacement coach. “Really what you are doing is seeing over — for lack of a better word — day-to-day operations of the program,” Barlow said.

Sports

World Series needs Yankees

Ryan Tomari | October 20

Is it really October without a New York baseball franchise playing in the postseason? For the last five years, I’ve felt kind of naked without the Yankees playing in the World Series.

Forward Justin Davis slides to the ground as the ball sails over him. The Lobos defeated Cal State Bakersfield 2-1 on Sunday at the UNM Soccer Complex.

Sports

Soccer win sets tone for conference play

Nathan Farmer | October 19

It took 89 minutes to tie the game — and nine more to win it. But the UNM men’s soccer team remains undefeated in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play, moving to 2-0 after a thrilling 2-1 overtime win Sunday over conference foe Cal State Bakersfield.

Sports

Alford's tough schedule will be make-or-break

Isaac Avilucea | October 19

Not surprisingly, Steve Alford didn’t have any preseason premonitions when he was asked to estimate how many wins the UNM men’s basketball team needs to get into the NCAA Tournament this year.

Sports

Lone senior is thrown into leadership role

Mario Trujillo | October 19

Ten of the 12 UNM men’s basketball players have one year or less of experience in Division I college basketball.

Swing man Phillip McDonald soars through the air on the way to a one-handed dunk during UNM’s annual Lobo Howl. McDonald won the 3-point contest.

Sports

Lobo Howl sets high sights for year

Ryan Tomari | October 19

RIO RANCHO — Jamal Fenton isn’t Joe Namath — he came about two inches short of delivering on a promise. At Media Day for UNM men’s basketball on Thursday at the Davalos Center, the 5-foot-8-inch point guard had fighting words for his teammates.

Sports

Volleyball is run over by Rebels in tough loss

Brandon Call | October 19

It wasn’t quite the homecoming the UNM volleyball team expected. Coming off back-to-back road wins against rival New Mexico State and Mountain West Conference foe Utah last week, the Lobos dropped a 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 match to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Saturday at Johnson Gym. Halfway through the MWC schedule, UNM is 13-7 overall and 4-4 in conference. “It’s a hard hit for us,” said head coach Jeff Nelson.

Carl Ho rears up to return the ball during Sunday’s Balloon Fiesta Invite. Ho went 4-0 over the weekend and won the individual title.

Sports

Weekend victories set stage for tourney

Brandon Call | October 11

The UNM men’s tennis team dominated this weekend’s Balloon Fiesta Invite at the Linda Estes Tennis Complex. The Lobos combined for a 25-6 record in singles and went 9-2 in doubles.

Defender Zaneta Wyne, right, fends off Air Force’s Cassie Wilson. The Lobos blanked the Falcons 1-0 on Saturday at the UNM Soccer Complex to improve to 10-2-2 overall.

Sports

Conference win settles youthful nerves

Eddie Zayas | October 11

There was no jet lag for the UNM women’s soccer team. After their first conference loss of the season against Wyoming, the Lobos bounced back strong on Saturday against.

Sports

Locksley: I don't ever recall being 0-6

Isaac Avilucea and Ryan Tomari | October 11

Smile Lobo fans — the UNM football team can’t possibly lose this coming Saturday. UNM won’t play for two weeks thanks to a bye this week, something Lobo football coach Mike Locksley said is a blessing, considering how banged up the Lobos are. Most notably, tailback Demond Dennis was absent and didn’t play in UNM’s 37-13 loss Saturday to conference foe Wyoming.

Johnathan Rainey raises his arms in celebration in this file photo. The Lobos’ defensive end has 6 ½ sacks so far this season. The Lobos will head to Wyoming on Saturday in search of their first win.

Sports

Lobos gear up to face MWC rival Wyoming

Ryan Tomari | October 8

This Saturday, first-year head coach Mike Locksley will be doing the Hokey Pokey for the first time. His Lobos will head up north to face Mountain West Conference foe, Wyoming. But it won’t be the first time Locksley’s run into Dave Christensen, now the Pokes’ first-year head coach. Christensen faced Locksley twice during his coaching tenure at Missouri.