The UTEP track and field teams will face a robust field when it opens the 2006 season at the Modrall Sperling Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday.
The competition boasts 11 nationally-ranked teams -- including the UTEP men which enter the weekend ranked 19th -- and 34 athletes and five 1,600-meter relays which are listed among the top 12 in the nation in Trackwire’s Dandy Dozen.
“The meet is so good in terms of talent, it will open our eyes really quickly,” said UTEP head coach Bob Kitchens. “We will be running some people in odd events -- not their regular events -- but that is something we always do for the first meet to see where people are in terms of conditioning and training.”
Among the ranked competitors will be freshman Churandy Martina, who will be making his indoor and UTEP debut. Martina is entered in the 60-meter dash, an event which he is currently ranked fourth by Trackwire. Last season, he was ranked 21st in the world in the 100.
UTEP’s other ranked athlete heading into the weekend, junior Fatimoh Muhammed, will open up in the mile. She is currently ranked ninth 800-meter run by Trackwire and will also run as the third leg of UTEP’s 1,600 relay.
The Miners will run three All-Americans in the mile with Mircea Bogdan, Japheth Ng’ojoy and Stephen Samoei. The trio is expected to compete for the meet’s title as well as NCAA qualifying times.
All-American Desiree Crichlow faces a stellar field in the women’s high jump. The event will feature three competitors who rank in the nation’s top five.
National qualifier Daniel Ward takes to the blocks against the nation’s top-ranked runner in the 200-meter dash as well as two other competitors who are among the top 12 in the country. Ward will additionally team up with Yinka Bello, Elias Koech and John Alipio to make up the 1,600 relay.
Freshman Jenny Holmoos, who normally runs the 800, makes her debut in the 400-meter dash and as part of the 1,600 relay. Other Miners making their first appearance are Daniel Lujan (long jump, 60 hurdles, 400), Oludamola Osayomi (60, 200), Phanice Orora (mile), Siobhian Crain (400), Ray King (400, Dominic Kiprono Tanui (800) and Halimat Ismaila (1,600 relay).
All-Americans Mickael Hanany, who is ranked third in the high jump by Trackwire, and Patrick Mutai are not competing this weekend. Both athletes are healthy and expected to open their seasons in two weeks in Nebraska.
The meet begins at 9 a.m. with the final event scheduled for 3:50 p.m.
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