The UNM men's and women's cross country team will open its season Friday at the Lori Fitzgerald Invitational in Santa Teresa, N.M.
The men's team will be riding a wave of confidence after receiving 11 votes in the Mondo men's NCAA Division I preseason poll.
This year's poll, conducted by the United States Cross Country Association, marks the first time the Lobos have received votes since 1993.
The Lobos were last ranked in 1989 when they were rated as high as 14th in the nation.
UNM boasts and impressive roster of homegrown talent, lead by NCAA qualifiers Ben Ortega and Matthew Gonzales, both juniors. Gonzales became the Lobos' first all-American since 1982 by placing 30th at last year's NCAA championships. The men's team also has 12 returning letterwinners.
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