The University of New Mexico Lobos are set to compete at the Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Clovis, with events scheduled from May 14 through May 16. The team enters the meet with strong representation across multiple disciplines and several athletes holding top rankings both regionally and nationally.
This championship is significant as it serves as a qualifier for the NCAA West Regionals in Fayetteville, where the top performers will have an opportunity to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. The Lobos currently boast 35 marks across 17 events that rank within the Top 48 of the region, positioning many athletes for potential qualification.
On the women’s side, standout performances include Pamela Kosgei and Marion Jepngetich leading a deep distance group, while Taniya Looney and Eva Ngom head up sprints. In field events, Ajia Hughes is qualified in two events. For men, Habtom Samuel anchors a loaded distance squad and leads national rankings in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. Matthew Endrody tops conference lists in middle distances.
Samuel was recently named USTFCCCA Co-National Men’s Athlete of the Week after breaking his own collegiate outdoor record at Bryan Clay Invitational with a time of 13:03.47 in the men’s 5,000m. This achievement further solidifies his status as one of collegiate track’s elite competitors this season.
Both Samuel and Kosgei have been included on The Bowerman watch list—an honor awarded annually to collegiate track & field’s top athlete—marking notable recognition for UNM’s program on both men’s and women’s sides this year.
Reflecting on last year’s championships, New Mexico completed its first sweep of Mountain West Women’s Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor titles by securing their inaugural outdoor MW team conference title. Darren Gauson was recognized as MW Women’s Coach of the Year following these achievements.
Heading into this weekend’s competition, eighteen Lobos hold podium positions among conference performance lists across sixteen events. As both teams maintain Top-25 national rankings according to USTFCCCA TFRI data—with men ranked No. 22 and women No.19—the program looks poised for another strong showing at conference level.
