The University of New Mexico (UNM) Lobos have had a remarkable season in various sports, highlighted by significant achievements in cross country, golf, soccer, football, volleyball, and swimming. This recap covers the latest performances and standings of the Lobos across these athletic programs.
Cross Country Triumphs
The New Mexico Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams achieved impressive milestones at the NCAA Championships held over the weekend. The athletes excelled against stiff competition, with Pamela Kosgei and Habtom Samuel clinching individual titles while setting new course records. The women’s team finished sixth, and the men’s team placed fourth, among a combined field of 39 ranked teams. This performance propelled both teams into the Top 10 rankings for the first time since 2013, as evidenced by the most recent USTFCCCA National Coaches’ Poll.
The UNM men’s team is currently ranked sixth nationally, which marks their highest position since the final week of the 2013 season. The women’s team has surged nine spots to eighth in the nation while maintaining their second and fourth rankings in the Mountain Region respectively. The men’s team is just one spot away from matching their all-time highest ranking of fifth, achieved in the final poll of the 2010 season.
For context, this achievement marks only the third occasion in UNM history where both cross country teams have been concurrently ranked in the Top 10. The teams previously achieved this in 2013 and 2010.
USTFCCCA Rankings:
- Men’s Cross Country:
- National Rank: No. 6
- Mountain Region Rank: No. 2
- Women’s Cross Country:
- National Rank: No. 8
- Mountain Region Rank: No. 4
The Lobo women’s team, the reigning Mountain West champions, has been consistently recognized, securing a preseason ranking for the 11th consecutive season. The women’s team secured the 21st position at the start of the 2023 season before soaring to the Top 10 through excellent performances.
Upcoming Events:
The Lobos are preparing for a brief break before engaging in the Mountain West Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado, scheduled for November 1. Fans can catch the races via the MW Network with live results available on GoLobos.com.
Adding to the accolades, UNM Cross Country swept the Mountain West weekly awards. Kosgei won both the Women’s Freshman and Athlete of the Week honors, while Samuel clinched the Men’s Athlete of the Week accolade. Collins Kiprotich was recognized as Freshman of the Week. Notably, Kosgei and Samuel significantly outpaced previous records on the NCAA Championship course, securing USTFCCCA Co-National Athlete of the Week honors.
Golf Progress
The New Mexico men’s golf team concluded their participation at The Williams Cup held at Eagle Point Golf Club. They recorded their best score of the tournament in the final round, finishing in 13th place with an overall score of 40-over par. The tournament was competitive, with top-10 programs such as North Carolina, Arizona State, and Auburn finishing under par.
Carson Herron emerged as the top individual performer for the Lobos, shooting a 1-over 73 in the final round. Alvaro Portillo showcased the best round for New Mexico with an even-par 72. The team concludes their fall season next week at The Clerico tournament in Oklahoma, scheduled for October 28-29.
Soccer Season Overview
In women’s soccer, the Lobos played to a draw against San José State, with the match concluding at 1-1. Fiona Jenkins scored the pivotal goal for UNM in the 74th minute, converting a free kick to secure a point in the conference standings. With three matches remaining in the conference schedule, the Lobos are currently sixth in the standings, maintaining a record of 7-4-4 and 11 points in the Mountain West.
This result marked the fourth consecutive tie with the Spartans, underscoring a competitive rivalry. The Lobos applied considerable pressure throughout the match, with 23 total shots and eight on target, especially in the second half.
The Lobos are gearing up for their next matches against Colorado State and Wyoming. Their historical performance against Colorado State has been strong, with a record of 9-2-1. The Lobos aim to continue this tradition of success in their upcoming road trip.
Football Team’s Comeback Victory
The UNM football team achieved a thrilling 50-45 victory over Utah State, demonstrating resilience by overcoming significant deficits twice during the matchup. The Lobos executed a remarkable comeback that tied for the sixth-largest in school history, thanks to a 21-point fourth quarter performance. Devon Dampier played a crucial role, contributing to both the passing and rushing efforts, and securing the honor of Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week.
Dampier’s total offense numbers were impressive, as he threw for 272 yards, rushed for 105, and was responsible for four touchdowns. His performance not only highlighted his skill set but also set the stage for the team’s current winning streak, marking three consecutive victories—the longest for UNM in eight years.
Volleyball Update
The New Mexico volleyball team faced challenges in their recent match, falling to Fresno State in four sets (22-25, 25-21, 22-25, 29-31). Lauryn Payne stood out with 18 kills, continuing her streak of double-digit scoring matches. Despite losing the match, the Lobos exhibited resilience, especially in the tightly contested final set, where they pushed the Bulldogs to 31 points before ultimately falling short.
As the Lobos prepare for a subsequent home game against Colorado State, they maintain a focused strategy to capitalize on their competitive experience and enhance their performance on the court.
Swimming and Diving Performance
In their first Mountain West Conference dual meet of the season, the UNM swimming and diving program suffered a 186-112 loss to the University of Wyoming. The team has now not secured a victory against Wyoming since the 2017-18 season. Despite this setback, several swimmers, including freshman Ellie Broughton, showcased strong individual performances. Broughton excelled in the 200-yard butterfly and the 400-yard individual medley, marking a strong start to her collegiate career.
Senior Katy McCarter and junior Isabella Gomez also delivered notable performances, contributing to the team’s overall standing and competitive spirit. New Mexico is expected to host the University of Nevada for their next dual on November 9.