"This will be a great meet for us," said head coach Eric Houle. "Both the athletes and coaches are looking forward to some competition and this will be the first time we have the whole team together to compete."

"Idaho State is always a good season opener for us," he continued. "There will be an event for everyone so it will be a good opportunity to see where we stand as a team. It will also help us evaluate how successful our fall training program was."

The Thunderbirds are entering the indoor season as second-place favorites for both the men's and women's conference title. Both teams return after third-place finishes in the 2010 indoor season and second-place finishes in the outdoor season.

The men's team returns with high expectations, led by 2009-10 co-Track Athlete of the Year and Canadian Cross Country Champion Cameron Levins, as well as seven other returning all-league honorees.

The women return with six all-league athletes including 5,000-meter champion Diana Medina, 400-meter champion Christina Day and 2009-10 Newcomer of the Year Shaye Maurer. Thirteen new women will also compete this season, including UCLA transfer Kayla Kovar.

After the Snake River Invitational, the Thunderbirds will have a two-week break from competition. The team will then be split up as they travel to the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. and the Mountain States Games in Pocatello on Jan. 28-29.