CEDAR CITY, Utah -- For the first time in school history, both the Southern Utah men's and women's cross country team have qualified for the NCAA National Championships after their performance at the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships. The teams will be competing in Madison, Wisconsin on November 17. The women will race at 9:45 a.m. followed by the men at 10:45 a.m.
The men's team will be competing at the NCAA Nationals for the fifth consecutive year this season with the women's team competing for the first time in SUU history.
The Thunderbirds have had a strong season as they have competed across the Big Sky as well as against top teams in the nation.
The Thunderbirds started their season at the UC Riverside Invitational where they claimed their first victory of the season. The women were led by Angie Nickerson with a first place finish. After Nickerson's performance, the Big Sky named her as Athlete of the Week.
Aidan Reed and Christian Ricketts led the men to victory in California with finishes in the top five.
At the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, the women competed against nationally ranked teams such as No. 1 New Mexico, No. 4 Colorado and No. 5 Arkansas. The Thunderbirds finished 14th out of 33 team with Nickerson, Maddy Kauffman and Madison Fruchey leading the team to a strong finish.
On the men's side of the team, Ricketts finished first for the Thunderbirds placing 21st in the competition. He was followed by Reed, Nate Osterstock and Sean Newcomb.
The men finished the race tenth ahead of No. 7 Washington and No. 27 Michigan.
The Thunderbirds then competed at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals where the women broke into national rankings for the first time in school history. The women finished the race eighth ahead of Utah State and No. 29 Georgia.
This performance also allowed Nickerson her second Big Sky Athlete of the Week award with a time of 20:37.9 in Wisconsin.
The men finished the race tenth ahead of No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 27 Michigan.
At the Big Sky Championships, several Thunderbird athletes claimed All-Conference status including Nickerson, Alison Pray, Ricketts and Nate Osterstock.
Nickerson was the first Thunderbird to cross the finish line claiming her first Individual Championship of her collegiate career.
The women claimed the Big Sky Conference Championships for the first time since joining the conference in 2012. The men finished the race third.
The two teams qualified for the NCAA National Championships after their performance at the Mountain Regional Championships where the women placed fourth and the men place fifth.
Redshirt senior Nickerson finished first on the women's side with a fifth place finish claiming All-Region status. She was followed by Pray in 29th and Fruchey in 34th.
On the men's side of the team, both Reed and Ricketts earned All-Region status. The men finished the race fifth ahead of No. 13 Air Force and No. 18 Washington.
"As we prepare for nationals, we just need to stay consistent," commented head coach Eric Houle. "We need to stay relaxed and keep on the track that we have been on this season."
"It's really a pleasure to be coaching such strong athletes," added Houle. "Having the opportunity to coach some of the best athletes in the nation is easily the greatest privilege of a coach. It will be great to see what they can accomplish at nationals."
The Thunderbirds will be competing at the NCAA Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, November 17.
Stay current on SUU cross country by following @SUUTFXC on Twitter and Instagram and like the Southern Utah Track and XC page on Facebook.
Head to www.suutbirds.com for all Thunderbird athletics news.
