The New Mexico men’s golf team is staying right in the thick of the national title chase.
After two rounds of play at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, the Lobos are holding strong in fourth place at 2-under par overall. Tuesday’s 1-over team round at Seminole Legacy Golf Club was enough to keep them in the top five — the critical cut line to advance to the NCAA Championships.
UNM, seeded eighth entering the tournament, got a massive lift from freshman Clark Sonnenberg, who carded a sizzling 4-under 68 to climb into a tie for third on the individual leaderboard at 5-under. It was the performance the Lobos needed after late-round bogeys clipped what had once been a scorching 9-under team pace.
Florida State, playing on its home turf, remains the dominant force at 21-under, with Ole Miss (-7), Georgia (-6), and New Mexico (-2) rounding out the top four. Augusta (-1) and Notre Dame (E) are just behind, meaning the final round Wednesday will be a pressure-packed sprint to the finish.
“We got a great round from Clark Sonnenberg today,” head coach Jake Harrington said. “It was exactly what we needed to be able to stay in fourth. A couple of the other guys were struggling, but that happens in golf. This team will bounce back tomorrow.”
Carson Herron and Oliver Cage each posted 1-over 73s in Round 2, while Mesa Falleur finished with a 75 and Wyatt Provence shot 76.
With one round left, everything is on the line for a Lobos squad that’s played with grit and resilience all spring.
Lobos Drop Finale at Air Force, Set Stage for Regular-Season Showdown
The Lobos went cold at the wrong time.
Despite blanking Air Force over the final five innings, New Mexico Baseball couldn’t scratch across the tying run in Sunday’s rubber match at Erdle Field, falling 5-4 to halt a four-series win streak.
The loss drops UNM (29-20, 16-11 MW) into a tie for second with Fresno State heading into the final regular-season series — a high-stakes three-game set in Albuquerque starting Thursday that could still result in a share of the Mountain West regular-season title.
Senior slugger Josh McAlister continued his red-hot campaign with a 4-for-4 day at the plate, including his 14th home run of the season. Will Asby stayed scorching too, launching his 13th homer as part of a 3-RBI outing — his fifth straight multi-hit game.
After starter Ryan Castillo was knocked around for five runs in three innings, relievers Luke Wiseman and Tommy White held it down. Wiseman posted four shutout frames, and White closed it out with a dominant ninth, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
The Lobos now return to Santa Ana Star Field, where 15 seniors will be honored Saturday and a potential championship is still within reach.
Back-to-Back-to-Back! Lobos Blast Way into MW Tournament
When the Lobos needed a jolt, they went deep — three times in a row.
New Mexico blasted back-to-back-to-back homers in a momentum-shifting fifth inning Saturday, topping Air Force 9-6 to clinch a spot in the 2025 Mountain West Tournament and keep their regular-season title hopes alive.
Down 3-2 entering the fifth, Tye Wood, Will Asby, and Jordy Oriach ignited the dugout with three straight solo shots — the program’s first back-to-back-to-back homer display since 2007. Oriach wasn’t done. He’d already launched a two-run homer in the first and finished 3-for-5 with two dingers, three RBIs, and three runs scored.
“Every guy in the lineup showed up today,” head coach Tod Brown said. “We played with edge, with heart — that’s what it takes in May.”
Tommy White was lights-out in relief, shutting the door over the final three innings to earn his first career save. Presley Monteforte picked up the win in relief of Cristian Mogen, who kept UNM in it through 4.1 innings.
Asby extended his hit streak with a 2-for-4 day and two RBIs, while Wood matched his career high in hits. The Lobos put it all together — timely power, clutch bullpen work, and postseason energy — and booked their ticket to Mesa, Arizona.
Lobos Stung Late in Slugfest Opener at Air Force
It was a tale of missed chances and missed bats late in Game One.
New Mexico knotted things at 9-9 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but Air Force exploded for five runs in the frame to take the opener of the weekend series, 14-9.
The Lobos’ offense showed up, racking up 13 hits — their 13th straight game with double-digit knocks — but the bullpen couldn’t hold off the Falcons in crunch time.
Josh McAlister belted his 13th homer, tying Jordy Oriach for the team lead before Oriach reclaimed the crown with two more doubles and three RBIs. Will Asby stayed locked in at the plate with a 3-hit day, while Ethan Ott, Tye Wood, and Akili Carris also contributed key hits.
LHP Daxton Purser was up-and-down over five innings, tagged for six earned runs. Relievers Josh Barnhouse and Ty Cunningham struggled to contain the late Air Force surge, with Cunningham taking the loss.
Lobos, Central Michigan Set Football Series for 2026 & 2029
Mark your calendars, Lobos fans — a new non-conference foe is coming to town.
The University of New Mexico and Central Michigan have agreed to a home-and-home football series, beginning in 2026. The Lobos will host the Chippewas on Sept. 5, 2026, before returning the favor in Mount Pleasant on Sept. 8, 2029.
It’ll be the first meeting between the two programs, though Central Michigan has seen University Stadium before — a lopsided 48-11 loss in the 2019 New Mexico Bowl to San Diego State.
New Mexico is 1-1 all-time against current MAC opponents, defeating Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl and falling to Akron in 1988. The Chippewas, meanwhile, are 8-9 against Mountain West foes.
This new series also marks a strategic scheduling move for UNM, giving them two Group of Five non-conference opponents in 2026 — compared to just one in 2025.
Here’s how the Lobos’ future non-conference schedule is shaping up:
Future Non-Conference Opponents
2025
- @ Michigan (8/30)
- vs. Idaho State (9/6)
- @ UCLA (9/13)
- vs. New Mexico State (9/27)
2026
- vs. Central Michigan (9/5)
- vs. Mercyhurst (9/12)
- @ Oklahoma (9/19)
- @ New Mexico State (TBA)
2027
- vs. Northern Colorado (9/4)
- @ Oregon State (9/11)
- @ Texas A&M (9/18)
- vs. New Mexico State (TBA)
2028
- vs. Oregon State (9/23)
- @ New Mexico State (TBA)
2029
- @ Central Michigan (9/8)
- vs. New Mexico State (TBA)
Ace on the Court and in the Classroom: Vandeputte Named Academic All-District
UNM senior Maud Vandeputte continues to add accolades to her impressive résumé, this time earning CSC Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators—a prestigious recognition that celebrates student-athletes who excel both athletically and academically.
A leader at the top of the Lobos’ women’s tennis lineup, Vandeputte wrapped her senior season as UNM’s top singles player, posting a team-high 15 wins while battling weekly against each opponent’s No. 1. The Belgium native played a pivotal role in back-to-back championship-contending seasons and was recently named All-Mountain West for her on-court dominance.
Off the court, her excellence never wavered. Vandeputte is set to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA in engineering—a feat that reflects her relentless discipline and drive. Whether she’s breaking down an opponent or breaking down complex equations, Vandeputte has proven she’s in a league of her own.
Lobo Hoops Reload: Transfers Albury and Miller Join 2025-26 Roster
The New Mexico men’s basketball program just got deeper—and tougher.
UNM head coach Eric Olen has bolstered the Lobos’ backcourt with the addition of two proven playmakers: Deyton Albury from Utah State and Tajavis Miller from North Dakota State. Both guards bring experience, scoring ability, and defensive grit to a team aiming to make serious noise in the Mountain West next season.
Albury, a 6-2 combo guard, was a key contributor for a tournament-bound Utah State squad last year, starting 23 games and averaging 7.8 points per game, including 10 double-digit scoring efforts in conference play. But that’s just the recent chapter—Albury previously torched the ASUN at Queens University, where he dropped 17.0 PPG and earned All-Conference and Newcomer of the Year honors.
“Deyton is a relentless two-way guard,” Olen said. “He attacks the rim with purpose, and his Mountain West experience means he’ll hit the ground running.”
Meanwhile, Miller brings size (6-4), shooting touch, and versatility to the table. The Summit League Sixth Man of the Year thrived off the bench at NDSU last season, averaging 10.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and drilling threes at a career 37% clip. With 19 double-digit games—including a career-high 26-point performance in the conference tournament—he’s a proven sparkplug.
“Tajavis can handle the ball, create offense, and stretch the floor,” Olen said. “He’s built for how we want to play.”
The new additions not only bring firepower but also a hunger for championships. “Coach Olen had a clear vision for how I fit,” Miller said. “I want to help UNM win titles and get back to the NCAA Tournament.”
From Radford to Regionals: Balsekar Earns Academic All-District Nod
After transferring in and helping fuel UNM’s run to a Mountain West title and NCAA Tournament berth, Aditya Balsekar has now been recognized for his classroom success as well, earning CSC Academic All-District honors.
The senior joined the Lobos from Radford and immediately made his presence felt. While he began the spring campaign at the top of the lineup, Balsekar settled into the No. 2 singles spot, becoming a steady force in a squad that upset No. 42 Boise State 4-0 in the Mountain West Tournament final to clinch the conference crown.
Though he skipped the fall season, Balsekar was a key contributor in the spring, combining for 20 total wins in singles and doubles play.
Majoring in liberal arts and integrated studies, Balsekar exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete: one who lifts trophies on the court and earns honors in the classroom. He helped the Lobos return to the NCAA Tournament where they bowed out to powerhouse Stanford, but his contributions and leadership were instrumental to one of the program’s most successful seasons in recent memory.
