New Mexico to Paris: Former Lobo wins women's 10,000 meters at U.S. track trials; Los Alamos native claims shot put title

Weini Kelati came from behind in the final lap — twice — to win the women’s 10,000 meters at the U.S. track trials on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.

Kelati, a former standout for the UNM track and field team, was running second behind Karissa Schweizer and just ahead of Parker Valby with a lap to go.

With 300 meters to go, Kelati passed Schweizer on the outside. Then, Schweizer took an outside lane to regain the lead with 200 meters left in the race.

“Maybe Kelati went too early,” the NBC broadcast announcer said. “She definitely went too early.”

But Schweizer wouldn’t be in the lead for long.

Kelati’s kick propelled her past Schweizer, this time on an inside lane.

“Guess what, Weini Kelati’s not done,” the announcer said. “Kelati comes back on the inside. Saving that kick for the final 80 meters. Weini Kelati is going to Paris.”

Kelati finished in 31 minutes, 41.07 seconds, a half-second ahead of Valby and Schweizer, who both crossed in 31:41.56 — each failing to reach the Olympic standard.

However, Kelati did attain the Olympic standard in a March 16 race, and that will enable the former Lobo to represent the United States at the Paris Olympics.

An Eritrean native, Kelati earned her American citizenship in 2021, years after seeking asylum in the United States. Kelati traveled to Oregon as a teenager for the world junior championships and, without telling her friends or family, missed her flight back home to Eritrea to begin a new life.

Taken in by a relative, Kelati went to high school in Virginia and competed at the University of New Mexico. She ran cross country and long-distance track events for UNM from 2017 to 2020 and is the most decorated All-American in program history with 13 All-America honors.

Now, the 27-year-old has earned a trip to the Paris Olympics. Schweizer, who came in third, made the team for the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Women’s shot put

Chase Jackson, another track athlete with New Mexico connections, also earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team on Saturday.

Jackson (nee Ealey), a Los Alamos native, threw 20.10 meters (65 feet, 11½ inches) on her fourth attempt in the shot put for the best mark of the day. Raven Saunders, at 19.90, and Jaida Ross, at 19.60, were second and third, respectively, and all three will be heading to Paris.

A back-to-back world champion, Jackson will be making her first Olympic appearance.