Stevens: Record-Setting Year Just The Beginning For Franklin's Lobos

by UNM Athletics

Albuquerque: Really, there is no finish line in sight for Lobos' track and cross country coach Joe Franklin, even though the nature of his sport draws lines where winners are found and crowned. Franklin is more like a javelin or discus guy. He keeps reaching for marks a little more further out than his last heave.

"We have gone places we have never gone before," said Franklin. "And we will build on that success. It's going to get better as more athletes realize that the University of New Mexico is a great place to go for a quality education and a quality track and field experience."

The New Mexico Lobos' track program under Franklin keeps reaching new marks, new heights, new distances. It happened in his first season of 2007-08. It happened again in 2008-09 and these are not simply words or hype from a coach trying to build up the reputation or over state the success of his program.

With Franklin, there are marks you can reach out and feel. They are solid, with form and substance. There are runners breaking the tape at the finish line. There are facts, stats and progress that prove that New Mexico has one of the fastest growing track & field/cross country programs in the nation.

In 2008-09, Franklin's program produced the school's first ever conference championship in women's cross country. That team had its most all-league picks in school history and went on to finish 18th in its first NCAA Championship appearance since 1985. The Lobo men's cross country team had its best score ever at an NCAA Regional, just missing the NCAA Championship cut. Both squads were nationally ranked during the regular season.

The Lobos had a national track champion in Lee Emanuel, who won the indoor title at a mile, and seven athletes earn All-America honors during the indoor/outdoor seasons. The UNM men finished tied for 16th at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Franklin's Lobos advanced a program-record 20 individuals and a relay team to the NCAA regional meet and record 11 athletes (seven men, four women) to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

 

Return to homepage

Your Ad Here