For the first time in program history, both New Mexico’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will open the season ranked inside the nation’s top four. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its preseason poll Tuesday, with the Lobo men checking in at No. 2 and the women at No. 4.
The ranking marks the highest preseason position ever for the UNM men, while the women earn their best spot since 2022, when they finished the season No. 2 nationally. For the women, this is also their ninth preseason appearance inside the top four. Earlier this week, both squads were also projected as automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Championships, with the men taking the No. 1 spot in the Mountain Region for the first time and the women ranked No. 2.
The men’s roster boasts one of the deepest and most experienced groups in the country. Leading the way is two-time NCAA individual runner-up Habtom Samuel, who sharpened his form on the track last spring with blazing times of 13:04.92 in the 5,000m and 26:51.06 in the 10,000m. Samuel is joined by fellow All-Americans Collins Kiprotich and Evans Kiplagat, along with five other sub-13:40 5,000m runners. The addition of steeplechase All-American Mathew Kosgei further strengthens a squad that placed ninth at last year’s NCAA Cross Country Championships and fifth in team scoring at outdoor nationals.
On the women’s side, the Lobos return national-caliber talent as well. Headlining the roster is sophomore standout Pamela Kosgei, who finished second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as a freshman before sweeping both the outdoor 5,000m and 10,000m national titles. She’s joined by 2024 All-American Mercy Kirarei and veteran Nicola Jansen, an All-American in 2023 who redshirted last fall. The lineup is bolstered by Marion Jepngetich, an outdoor All-American in the 5,000m, who will compete in cross country for the first time. With depth and firepower across the board, the Lobos are primed to make national noise in 2025.
Bankston Earns Spot on Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
New Mexico running back Damon Bankston has earned national recognition before taking a single carry in a Lobo uniform. The Katy, Texas native was named Tuesday to the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which honors the top offensive player in college football with Texas ties.
Bankston, a transfer from Weber State, arrives in Albuquerque with an impressive résumé. Last season, he rushed for 1,104 yards and six touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver with 142 yards and another score. His versatility and explosiveness quickly made him a name to watch, and now he’ll have the chance to prove it at the FBS level with UNM.
He joins fellow newcomers Scottre Humphrey, D.J. McKinney, and Deshaun Buchanan in what the program has dubbed the “Rushmore Four” — a group of backs who each led their previous teams in rushing. It’s a depth chart unlike any other in the nation and one the Lobos hope can power their offensive turnaround.
Beyond statistics, the award honors players who embody the qualities of legendary Texas running back Earl Campbell — toughness, perseverance, sportsmanship, and integrity. For Bankston, that recognition underscores both his athletic potential and the leadership he can bring to the field. The award will be presented later this year by SPORTyler, Inc., alongside the City of Tyler and its community partners.
Lobo Basketball, Santa Clara Schedule Home-and-Home Series
New Mexico men’s basketball has added a marquee nonconference matchup to its upcoming schedules. The Lobos and Santa Clara announced a home-and-home series that will begin Dec. 6, 2025, at The Pit in Albuquerque and continue the following season at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, California.
The two programs are no strangers, having met eight times previously with UNM holding a 5-3 advantage. Their last clash came during the 2023-24 season, when the Lobos rolled to a 93-76 win at the Jack Jones Classic in Henderson, Nevada. However, the Broncos haven’t visited The Pit since 2005, a game UNM won 93-59. The upcoming matchup in Santa Clara will mark the schools’ first meeting on the Broncos’ home floor.
The Lobos are coming off one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory. They finished 27-8 overall, claimed the Mountain West regular season crown with a 17-3 conference mark, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s second round. Santa Clara, meanwhile, went 21-13 last year, earned a trip to the NIT’s second round, and closed the season ranked in the top 60 in both KenPom and NET metrics.
The series promises to be a competitive measuring stick for both programs as they continue their rise on the national stage.
Waterman Joins Lobo Basketball Staff
Head coach Eric Olen has added a proven winner to his first staff at New Mexico. On Thursday, Olen announced the hiring of Scott Waterman as Special Assistant to the Head Coach.
Waterman brings more than two decades of experience across all levels of college basketball, most recently serving as head coach at Academy of Art University. Over six seasons, he transformed the Urban Knights into a Division II contender, posting a 96-71 record, winning the 2022 PacWest Tournament and the 2024 regular season crown, and earning two NCAA Tournament berths. He was named the 2024 PacWest Coach of the Year before the program discontinued athletics in 2025.
“We are excited to add Scott to our staff,” Olen said. “His experience at every level of college basketball, most recently as a head coach, will be a tremendous asset for our entire program. We are fortunate to have him as part of the Lobo family.”
Waterman’s résumé also includes assistant coaching stops at Dominican University of California, Pomona-Pitzer, and Cal State Fullerton, as well as administrative roles at Dartmouth and Long Beach State. A native of Lake Forest, California, he played collegiately at Occidental College before earning a master’s degree from Long Beach State.
For Waterman, the chance to join Olen’s first staff at UNM is an opportunity to bring his wealth of knowledge to a program on the rise. “I am incredibly excited to join Coach Olen and the Lobo Basketball family,” he said. “I can’t wait to help him continue to raise the bar at New Mexico.”
Lobos Battle to Draw with Orediggers in High-Scoring Clash
New Mexico women’s soccer showed resilience on Sunday, rallying from an early two-goal deficit to take the lead before ultimately settling for a 3-3 draw against Colorado School of Mines at the UNM Soccer Complex.
The Orediggers stunned the Lobos with goals in the first six minutes, seizing a 2-0 advantage before UNM had even registered a shot. But Nicole Anderson gave the Lobos life in the 25th minute, blasting a low strike from just outside the box for her fourth goal of the year. The tally, assisted by Alysa Whelchel, trimmed the deficit to 2-1 at halftime.
UNM’s momentum carried over after the break. In the 55th minute, Fiona Jenkins set up Whelchel for the equalizer with a slick assist from Celina Frenz, tying the game at 2-2. Less than four minutes later, the Lobos surged ahead on a scrappy goal from Kennedy Brown, who used her heel to poke home a loose ball after a corner kick.
The Orediggers, however, would not go quietly. In the 84th minute, they capitalized on one of their few second-half chances to draw level once more. Nicole Anderson nearly had the winner in the 89th minute, but her shot sailed high, leaving the match deadlocked at the final whistle.
The Lobos finished with a 13-10 advantage in shots, including 7-3 on frame. Anderson led the way with five attempts, while she and her sister Allie each put two on target. With the result, New Mexico moves to 1-0-2 on the season and now heads to the Pacific Northwest for a pair of road tests against Oregon and Oregon State.
Would you like me to combine all of these into a single weekly roundup article (like a “Lobo Sports Week in Review”) or keep them as standalone articles for your site?