UNM program ranks 5th in nation

If you thought that the University of New Mexico has one of the country’s best women’s programs when you combine cross country and track and field, you’re right.

It’s been quantified by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, which ranked the Lobos fifth in its program of the year standings for 2017-18. It’s the best finish by any non-Power Five conference program.

To be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for all three NCAA Championships. Scores for the award are calculated from the team’s finish at those championships (i.e., first place earns one point, second place two points, 31st place 31 points, etc.), and the low score wins. Leading the final standings was Stanford (15 points), with Oregon (17) and NCAA indoor champions Georgia (20) rounding out the top three.

The Lobos scored 29, which included a point for their national championship cross-country performance last November, a tie for 10th (10½ points) at the NCAA indoor track and field meet, and a tie for 17th (17½ points) at last week’s outdoor finals in Eugene, Ore.