It was another memorable week for New Mexico athletics, highlighted by one of the greatest accomplishments in track and field history as former Lobo standout Josh Kerr shattered the men’s mile world record in London. Current Lobo star Habtom Samuel continued to collect national honors following his historic 2026 season, while football, men’s tennis and women’s tennis all celebrated academic and preseason recognition ahead of the fall.
Josh Kerr breaks historic mile world record
Former New Mexico distance star Josh Kerr etched his name into the history books Saturday by breaking one of track and field’s longest-standing records.
Competing at the London Diamond League, Kerr ran the mile in 3:42.66, eclipsing the previous world record of 3:43.13 set by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999. The record had stood for 27 years.
The Edinburgh, Scotland native controlled the race once the pacemakers exited, taking command after the 1,000-meter mark before pulling away from American Yared Nuguse over the final lap. Kerr closed with a blistering 54.87-second final 400 meters while recording a personal-best 3:27.65 through 1,500 meters on his way to the record.
Following the race, Kerr admitted the accomplishment was emotional after months of preparation centered around what he called “Project 222” — his pursuit of a 222-second mile. Much of that training took place at elevation in Albuquerque, where Kerr has continued to base portions of his professional training.
The world record caps an already remarkable professional career for the former Lobo, who won the 2023 World Championship in the 1,500 meters while also earning Olympic bronze in Tokyo and silver in Paris.
Kerr remains one of the most decorated athletes in New Mexico history. During his collegiate career from 2015-18, he captured three NCAA championships, eight Mountain West titles and established the collegiate 1,500-meter record with a 3:35.01 performance at the 2018 Bryan Clay Invitational.
He swept the NCAA indoor mile and outdoor 1,500-meter titles in 2017, becoming just the 11th athlete in NCAA history to accomplish the feat and the first since 2008. Kerr was also the first male athlete in program history to become a semifinalist for The Bowerman, collegiate track and field’s highest individual honor.
With the mile record now his, Kerr indicated he may not be finished chasing history, saying he believes the world record in the 1,500 meters is also within reach.
Samuel named national outdoor scholar-athlete of the year
Current Lobo distance star Habtom Samuel added yet another prestigious honor to his growing résumé Monday.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Samuel the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Scholar-Athlete of the Year, making him the first male athlete in New Mexico history to receive the award.
Samuel posted a 3.40 cumulative GPA while simultaneously putting together one of the most dominant outdoor seasons in collegiate history.
The Keren, Eritrea native went undefeated against collegiate competition outdoors while capturing NCAA championships in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He lowered his own collegiate record in the 5,000 meters to 12:57.22 and ran 27:30.51 in the 10,000 meters, the 12th-fastest collegiate performance ever.
The honor continues a remarkable awards season for Samuel, who has also been recognized as the Mountain West Student-Athlete of the Year, Mountain Region Track Athlete of the Year and became the first men’s athlete in school history to earn a spot as a finalist for The Bowerman.
Samuel is the third Lobo to receive the national outdoor scholar-athlete award, joining Courtney Frerichs (2016) and Pamela Kosgei, who earned the distinction last year.
Eck recognized for community service
New Mexico linebacker Jaxton Eck is once again receiving national recognition, this time for his impact away from the football field.
Eck was selected as New Mexico’s nominee for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which honors college football players for community service, leadership and academic achievement.
The All-American linebacker enters the season following a standout 2025 campaign that saw him record 129 tackles, ranking 10th nationally in both total tackles and tackles per game. He also earned CSC Academic All-America honors.
His community involvement includes volunteering at UNM Children’s Hospital, participating in the “Be A Match” donor awareness program, working with Nusenda Credit Union on community initiatives and helping serve meals to homeless individuals during the team’s appearance at the 2025 Rate Bowl.
Eck becomes the latest Lobo to earn the nomination after Teton Saltes served as captain of the AFCA Good Works Team in 2020.
Men’s tennis earns ITA academic honors
The New Mexico men’s tennis program was recognized for its success in the classroom after receiving ITA All-Academic Team honors.
Four Lobos were also named ITA Scholar-Athletes:
- Philip Bosin
- Jakub Prachar
- Carl Labitzke
- Jan Skerbatis
To earn ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition, players must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA during the academic year, while team honors require an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Nationally, 162 Division I men’s programs earned All-Academic Team recognition, while more than 1,000 student-athletes received Scholar-Athlete honors.
Women’s tennis continues academic excellence
The women’s tennis program also earned ITA All-Academic Team honors while placing eight student-athletes on the ITA Scholar-Athlete list.
The Lobos honored were:
- Yu Yun “Kathy” Tsai
- Vivica Corley
- Marika Matsoukatidi
- Bente Vandeputte
- Sarah L’Allier
- Ramona Petre
- Lea Malazdra
- Ana Veroux
- Coumba Ben Niangadou
The recognition continues a long tradition of academic excellence for the program, which has consistently ranked among the nation’s top teams in classroom performance.
Overall, 231 Division I women’s programs earned ITA All-Academic Team honors, while 1,501 players were recognized as Scholar-Athletes.
Five Lobos earn preseason All-Mountain West honors
Expectations continue to build for New Mexico football heading into the 2026 season after the Mountain West announced its official preseason all-conference team.
The Lobos placed five players on the preseason squad, matching the program’s highest total since 2005.
Leading the group is linebacker Jaxton Eck, who was also selected as the Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after sharing conference Defensive Player of the Year honors last season.
Joining Eck on the preseason team are:
- Defensive lineman Brian Booker
- Offensive lineman Malik Aliane
- Tight end Cade Keith
- Wide receiver Troy Omeire
Eck returns after a dominant campaign in which he totaled 129 tackles, finishing among the nation’s leaders while helping anchor one of the country’s most improved defenses.
Booker emerged as a key contributor on the defensive line, recording 19 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery as New Mexico dramatically improved against the run.
Keith became one of the conference’s top young tight ends, finishing with 20 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns while earning both Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors during the season.
Aliane brings valuable versatility to the offensive line after starting games at multiple positions throughout his career, including all 13 contests last season.
Omeire arrives from UNLV after catching 31 passes for 514 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, including a four-catch performance against the Lobos.
New Mexico returns 14 starters, the most in the Mountain West, after finishing 9-4 and winning the Rate Bowl last season. The Lobos also posted a perfect 6-0 home record, their first unbeaten season at University Stadium since 1963, while leading the nation in attendance growth with a 57.8 percent increase.
The 2026 season begins Sept. 5 against Central Michigan before New Mexico hosts Mercyhurst the following week in its first MW+ broadcast of the season.
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