SILVER CITY, NM — After a competitive and steadily improving outdoor season, the Western New Mexico University track and field teams are set to compete at the upcoming Lone Star Conference Championships, looking to build on a year marked by personal bests, consistency, and strong finishes across multiple meets.
Throughout the spring, the Mustangs have shown depth in distance events and strength in the throws, with several student-athletes climbing the conference performance lists and positioning themselves for postseason competition. The team has emphasized progression week-to-week, translating into a solid group of qualifiers ready to represent WNMU on the conference stage.
On the track, WNMU will be well represented in the distance events. In the 1500 meters, Jeanette Rivera (El Paso, TX/Young Women's Leadership Academy) and Sarah Romero (Rio Rancho, NM/Cleveland Sue HS) earned their spots with consistent performances during the regular season. The 5000 meters will feature Cameron Shorty (Albuqurque, NM/Atrisco Heritage Academy High School), Samuel Ketcham (Goodyear, AZ/Canyon View High School), and Aubrey Lozoya (Albuquerque, NM/Cottonwood Classic Preparatory), while that same trio will double back in the 10,000 meters alongside Jacob Corral (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) and McKenna Sahd (Angel Fire, NM/Cimarron HS), giving the Mustangs a strong presence in the longer distances. In the 3000-meter steeplechase, Ameen Ibrahim (El Paso, TX/Pebble Hills HS) and Morgan Haan (Albuquerque, NM/Edorado HS) qualified after standout efforts in one of the most demanding events on the schedule.
In the field events, WNMU's throws group has been a key contributor all season. Derek Schuller (Bayard, NM/Cobre High School) and Alexandra Gonzalez (Elephant Butte/Hot Springs High School) will compete in the shot put, while the discus will include Lukas Evans (Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces HIgh School), Derek Schuller (Bayard, NM/Cobre High School), and Alexandra Gonzalez (Elephant Butte/Hot Springs High School). In the javelin, the Mustangs will send a full group of competitors with George Peru (Silver City, NM/Cobre HS), Diego Renteria (Animas, NM/Animas, HS), Aubrey Pino (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School), Valerie Guerrero (Lordsburg, NM/Lordsburg High School), and Trinity Rios (Silver City, NM/Cobre High School) all earning qualification.
With a balanced mix of experienced competitors and emerging talent, WNMU enters the Lone Star Conference Championships prepared to compete across multiple events. The meet will serve as both a culmination of the outdoor season and an opportunity for the Mustangs to continue building momentum against some of the top programs in the region.
Competition will take place May 7,8,9 in Canyon Texas.
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (X, TikTok & Instagram).
