Las Vegas, NM --- The New Mexico Highlands cross country programs will open the 2020 season as they are set to host the 2020 VIRTUAL HU XC Jam at the Gene Torres Golf Course on Friday September 25th at 3:30 pm.
Five teams (University of the Southwest, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, New Mexico Junior College, Antelope Valley Community College, and Midwestern State) have opted in the virtual race, where they can choose the fastest 2k section at their local golf course. The women's race will consist of 4k while the men's race is set for 6k.
The results are due by 5 pm on Saturday, September 26
th and race results, individual performances and team scoring, will be posted at nmhuathletics.com and on the official NMHU Athletics social media pages.
On the men's side,
Collins Kurui and
Andrew Amor are looking to kick off the 2020 season with strong performances.
Kurui - Two years after breaking his femur in a freak road racing accident, the former HU All American looks to return to collegiate racing for the first time since Nov. 2017.
Kurui placed 12th in the NCAA national championships in 2016 and is looking to regain the form that made him one of the top runners in the country early in his career.
"It's been a long journey for Collins," notes HU coach
Bob DeVries, "He has rehabbed, trained and basically spent the last two years hoping to race again."
Amor - The sophomore from Australia was the Cowboys number one runner in every race during the 2019 season and has returned fitter than his freshman campaign.
Amor missed the top 25 at the 2019 RMAC championships by one spot and looks to move up the ladder in 2020.
Says DeVries, "Andrew was one of the top freshman in the RMAC in 2019 and has trained exceptionally well back home. He's ready to challenge for a spot in the top -15 at RMAC."
Another runner to look out for is incoming freshman Michael Marshall. A freshman from Navajo Pine where he was a New Mexico state cross country champion and two-time runner-up, Marshall helped led his squad to back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019.
Marshall placed fifth at the Nike Southwest Regional and 11th at the National Junior Cross Country Championships during the 2019-20 cross country season.
"I've watched Michael race for the past three years and he is as tough as they come. He is one of the best in the state in any class, "said DeVries.
On the women's side, freshman
Jasmine Turtle-Morales and
Faith Lovato look to begin their college careers with solid races.
Turtle-Morales comes to HU from the strong Eldorado HS program in Albuquerque, NM. The Eagles have won back-to-back state championships with Turtle-Morales winning the individual title in 2018 and finishing as runner-up in 2019.
She was also the New Mexico 5A state champion in the 3200M in 2019 and was named the 2018-19 Gatorade New Mexico Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
On the national level, Turtle-Morales finished 17th at the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional championships in December and went on to finish 11th at the USATF Junior National Championships in San Diego as a member of the Wings of America team representing Native American runners from across the southwest. As a junior, Turtle-Morales placed 20th at the same national championship.
"Jasmine is, without a doubt, one of the best athletes we have ever signed in women's cross," says DeVries, "She is going to make an immediate impact on our program."
A freshman from the outstanding program at Rio Rancho High School, where she was coached by former HU runner Sal Gonzales, Lovato was among the top ten at the New Mexico 5A Cross Country Championships in 2019.
"Faith comes from a running family and a great program-- her sister Brittany is a senior at Western New Mexico--so they will get to face each other – virtually - at our home meet on Sept. 25th," says DeVries.
Natalia Marrujo look to cap off her stay at NMU with her last race at the Gene Torres Golf Course.
A senior from tiny Mora, NM, Marrujo has been the Cowgirls number one or two runner throughout her career. Marrujo is a two-time qualifier for the RMAC outdoor track championships in the 1500.
Says DeVries, "We are looking for Tali (Natalia) to be a real leader this year. She has big race experience and seems to always come through when it counts."
GO COWBOYS & COWGIRLS
#RacingWithGrit
