April 7, 2010

By Christa Martinez -- Graduate Intern/GoLobos.com

Sophomore Ty Kirk led the New Mexico football team with 36 catches and 427 yards as a freshman last season. Kirk not only established himself as a standout receiver but also as an outstanding triple jumper for the track and field team. The Arlington Heights, Ill. product jumped a 50-11.00 (15.52m) for a ticket to the NCAA regional championships. Kirk says football and track aren't the only things he does well. The sophomore can shake things up in the kitchen as well. I chatted with Kirk after practice to find out more about this talented individual.

How was practice today?

"It went well. They changed my position. My position now gets the ball a lot more. Today I caught a lot passes so I was excited."

What did you do in the offseason to prepare for spring?

"We ran routes, worked on our footing. I also had track so I was trying to do both. We lifted to try and get bigger."

Is it hard to juggle both track and football?

"Yeah but I enjoy it."

Lets talk about Coach Wells, what is it like having him back?

"He was my coach my true freshman year. It's a different style than our old coaches but I like him."

What are your goals for the spring?

"Get better, get stronger. I need to work on my release and my corner press. That is what I've been told is my biggest problem. Also just to catch the ball, to catch everything."

How did you get started playing football?

"I actually wanted to be a hockey player. But my mom wouldn't let me play hockey so she took me out to football around 6th grade. So I started a little late. My mom loves football. She's a Bears fan, I don't like the Bears. The Vikings are my team, I've always been a Vikings fan."

I heard that you like to cook.

"Oh yeah. Since about 7th grade, I took a home economics class and enjoyed cooking ever since. In high school I did culinary classes."

"I don't know. I love to make pasta though. I love spaghetti, I really like spaghetti."

Do you ever cook for the guys on the team?

"Oh yeah. I live with a few of the guys and we all pretty much cook. On Sunday's we cook."

Tell me something I don't know about you.

"I love video games. I could play video games all day if I had nothing else to do. I'm really into the new Call of Duty. I play that a lot."

Lobos Football

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