by Todd Burns
Daily Lobo
Imagine running 90 to 100 miles a week during summer vacation; think about purchasing eight to 10 pairs of running shoes a year - that is what it takes for UNM's Matt Gonzales to be ranked first in the nation.
Gonzales, a junior on the UNM men's track team, qualified for the NCAA national track championships at a meet in Stanford earlier this year. According to USA Track and Field results, Gonzales is ranked first in the nation in the 10,000-meter race and currently holds the third-best time in the NCAA with two foreign athletes ahead of him.
"He was one of the top 50 runners in the world last year," head coach Matt Henry said. "He is now qualified to the NCAA in the 10,000 and I hope he qualifies in the 5,000 as well."
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Henry explained that Gonzales had a run of bad luck last year, suffering from injuries, bad weather and a lack of competition that held him back. This year has turned out differently.
"I've been running with better competition and the training room has kept me healthy," Gonzales said. "It's just natural that you'll run faster."
Crossing the finish line first is nothing new to Gonzales. He started running eight years ago in junior high and ran the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes. It was during his senior year of high school that Gonzales decided to run cross country and longer distances.
The switch worked as he took home three New Mexico 4-A state high school championships, one in cross country and a dual win in the one mile and two mile as a senior in 2000. After graduating from Santa Fe High School, Gonzales headed north to Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.
Upon his arrival, Gonzales was forced to take a red shirt year as the promised funds for a track team at Highlands disappeared. While in Las Vegas, Gonzales heard that Henry had been hired as UNM's head track coach.
"I heard Coach Henry was here and I knew him because we used to run against La Cueva," Gonzales said. "That's why I came to UNM."
At 5 feet 11 inches and 115 pounds, Gonzales is the Brian Urlacher of the UNM track team. In the track arena, it's not always about size, it's about attitude.
"He has a great attitude," Henry said. "He is a great team player. He's not stingy with his time or his considerate words to others."
At a time in college when most 21-year old students are preoccupied with drinking, Gonzales' attitude is focused on winning.
"I know I will be ranked high going into nationals but I want to win the national championship," Gonzales said.
There is still a lot of time between now and nationals in mid-June. Gonzales said that he is going to concentrate on the 5K and the 10K but he will still run in the 1,500-meter race at Louisiana State University this weekend.
Two weekends from now, Gonzales will head to Mount San Antonio College in California in an attempt to qualify for nationals in the 5K. As of now, he will not run another 10K until nationals.
From now until then, Gonzales is preparing for his big run at the NCAA finals.
"All you can do is enjoy what you are doing," he said. "One practice, one race and one day at a time."
