Amelia Mazza-Downie, an Australian standout and two-time Mountain West Conference cross country champion along with an All-American representing New Mexico, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss the Lobos capturing their 15th consecutive conference title Oct. 28 and preparing to host the NCAA Division 1 Mountain Regional on Nov. 11 at the North Course in Albuquerque. Mazza-Downie, who first competed in the United States in 2015 when she represented Maribyrnong Sports Academy and won the 3,200 meters at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho, reflects on her decision to explore collegiate opportunities in the U.S. and the process of her selecting New Mexico. She also examines the international qualities of the Lobos' lineup, with Gracelyn Larkin from Canada, Emma Heckel from Germany, Elise Thorner from England, Danielle Verster from South Africa, Semira Mebrahtu Firezghi from Eritrea and fellow Australian Sarah Eckel. Mazza-Downie, also a Mountain West indoor 5,000-meter champion, explains how instrumental coach Joe Franklin has been in her development and improvement, along with expressing gratitude for former New Mexico assistant and current Air Force Academy coach Laura Bowerman and her support and convincing her to attend school in Albuquerque. She revisits how meaningful it was for the Lobos to host the Mountain West championship meet last season and for New Mexico to sweep the top seven spots, and explains how significant the support is for the program in the community in hosting the Mountain Regional for cross country, as well as the NCAA indoor championship meet in March 2023. Mazza-Downie analyzes the benefits of racing against elite programs Brigham Young, Northern Arizona, Colorado and Utah, along with several conference rivals, at the regional meet, in preparation to race Nov. 19 at the Greiner Family course at Oklahoma State in Stillwater for the Division 1 final, where New Mexico placed sixth at the March 2021 championship. She speaks about the lessons learned competing against reigning champion North Carolina State at both the Joe Piane Invitational on Sept. 30 at Notre Dame, as well as Oct. 14 at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, and the quest to capture a third NCAA title, including the first for the program since 2017.