Earlier today, the University of New Mexico announced that Darren Gauson, formerly of Bradley University, will be taking over as the Lobos' next head coach. The hiring comes just two weeks after former head coach, Joe Franklin, left the University of New Mexico to become the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Louisville.
Gauson, who oversaw the entire Bradley program, more specifically worked with distance runners during his time with the Braves. While he was there, the soon-to-be New Mexico coach developed a handful of strong cross country squads.
In the fall of 2018, the Bradley men qualified for the NCAA XC Championships for the first time in program history. On that stage, they placed 24th overall, led by Michael Ward (106th) and Haran Dunderdale (115th).
During his eight years as the head coach of the Braves, the Bradley men ultimately won six Missouri Valley Conference cross country titles as a team while the women won four.
There have also been a handful of talented individuals to come through the program, most recently Wilma Nielsen, who ran 2:02.91 (800) and 2:38.95 (1k) this past winter, earning All-American honors in the former event.
Coach Darren Gauson was also responsible for developing Tiana LoStracco who ran 4:10 for 1500 meters and qualified for the outdoor national meet this past spring.
Gauson will now be entering a New Mexico program that will have been decimated by transfer portal entries, at least on the women's side. The Stride Report can confirm that Amelia Mazza-Downie, Elise Thorner, Maisie Grice, Gracelyn Larkin, Aliandrea Upshaw and a few others have entered the transfer portal.
Earlier this week, it was announced that both Mazza-Downie and Thorner would be joining the Florida Gators later this fall as graduate transfers.
Notably not on the transfer portal (as of earlier this week) is Emma Heckel, an established multi-time All-American on the grass. She has run times of 15:41 (5k) and 32:37 (10k).
For the men, it is still unclear what the status of Habtom Samuel Keleta will be for later this fall. The incoming Eritrean superstar has run 13:13 for 5000 meters and 27:28 for 10,00 meters prior to entering the NCAA. The 19-year old is expected to join the Lobos later this year and instantly emerge as a possible national title contender in the fall.