About a month ago, Lamaar Thomas was on a football field in Pasadena, Calif., playing in the 2010 Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Thomas’ former school, Ohio State, had just defeated Oregon, 26-17.
For the Buckeyes, it was their first victory in the Rose Bowl since 1997.
But for Thomas, the celebration was cut short.
The sophomore wide receiver left Columbus, Ohio, and has found a new home with the UNM football team.
Thomas — who won’t put on a football helmet for UNM until 2011 because of NCAA transfer rules — is able to compete with the UNM track and field team.
Even though he has yet to make his Lobo football debut, Thomas made a glossy debut on Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center during the New Mexico Classic.
And he certainly made the most of it.
Thomas ran a time of 6.94 in the 60-meter prelims, which was his first race as a Lobo, and he finished sixth in the finals with a mark of 6.89.
The 6.89 mark in the finals has already stamped Thomas in the Lobo track and field history book. His time in the 60-meter finals was good enough to cement his spot as the fifth best time among all UNM performers.
“I didn’t really get a chance to run track at Ohio State,” he said. “I ran outdoor for maybe two weeks. I loved track in high school and it’s just something that I really wanted to get back into. Now I have the opportunity to do (that), and I enjoy getting back into the track group every day like I used to do.”
UNM assistant head track coach Leo Settle, who concentrates on helping sprinters, said Thomas’ presences has added depth to the squad.
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“Lamaar actually contributes quite a bit to our program,” Settle said. “The good thing that we were able to work out with the football team is that they allow someone like Lamaar to do some running practice with us, while he lifts weights with the football program. So he is getting the best of both worlds, especially in terms of practice in the offseason.”
Thomas ran in the 60-meter preliminary event, his first indoor race since high school.
He said he’s partial to outdoor events.
“It’s just better,” Thomas said. “The 60-meters (outdoor) is for more quick guys who can get on the block fast. One of my biggest problems is getting off the block, so I do kind of like running outdoor better. The 100-meter (dash) gives me more time to catch up to guys that are leading, or who get out to a good start.”
Settle said Thomas doesn’t need much guidance because he’s innately talented.
“We are coaches and we try to bring out the best in our athletes,” Settle said. “But genetically, Lamaar is just gifted. So, it’s really just getting Lamaar out there and trying to give him all the proper cues and just help him out with a little bit of his foot work.”
Footwork that will help him out come football season.
