Humphries survives turmoil

It's no secret that the UNLV track and field program has been plagued with instability during recent years, but Monique Humphries doesn't want to talk about it.

Humphries, a senior thrower from Arlington, Texas, has remained a symbol of consistency for her teammates despite the program's problems, and she would prefer to leave the team in May with positive memories.

Surviving a period of turmoil under former Rebels coach Barbara Ferrell-Edmonson and last summer's transition to a new coaching staff, Humphries has managed to set school records in the weight and hammer throw events. Considering her relatively modest prep career, Humphries has surpassed even her own expectations.

"When I came here, I just wanted to grow into what I thought I could be," said Humphries, who chose UNLV because of her attraction to Las Vegas. "I didn't expect all the success in my freshman year."

Indeed, she broke the school record in the weight throw in her first indoor meet as a freshman with a toss of 50 feet, 2 inches. She has improved on that mark several times, led by a best indoor toss of 58-1.

"When I came here, I thought I was only going to be throwing the shot put," Humphries said. "But after a lot of conditioning, I started learning I had a lot of potential with the hammer and weights. My confidence started to grow and I started setting records."

But the situation at UNLV took a negative turn at the conclusion of her freshman year, as a number of seniors departed the program. With little veteran leadership and minimal talent remaining, Humphries knew she would have to fill the void.

"There was a lack of seniors," she said. "They started leaving when I was a sophomore, and that's when I knew I had to step things up."

Humphries has been a team leader ever since.

"Monique leads by example," first-year Rebels coach Yvonne Scott-Williams said. "Her performances inspire the other throwers and the rest of the team. She does really well in motivating the team."

But time is running out on Humphries' career. Though the Rebels have a handful of meets remaining on their outdoor schedule, she knows her days as a college athlete are numbered.

"It has kind of hit me in a good way," said Humphries, who will get a few more chances to break her own record of 165-7 in the hammer throw. "I've put so much time into this team, and the results really show.

"I'm going to miss it, but it's about time for me to start something new."

Scott-Williams said the effects of Humphries' success will linger at UNLV.

"She's very instrumental when it comes to recruiting, even though this is her last year," the coach said. "It inspires other athletes who come here. They want to knock off her record."

But Scott-Williams thinks Humphries still has a chance to put her top marks further out of reach.

"She really wants to be the best at everything she does," said the coach, noting that the Mountain West Conference meet is just a month away. "I think she'll be able to finish top-four in conference, and that would be a good accomplishment."

But Humphries, who plans to pursue a career working with children in Las Vegas after graduating next winter, is eager to see what she can still accomplish before that final meet. Her next chance will come Saturday when the Rebels compete in the UCLA Invitational.