CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are gearing up for an exciting Cross Country season, and today we are thrilled to announce their official schedule for the upcoming season. With a mix of invitational meets and championship events, the Thunderbirds are ready to showcase their talent and compete against some of the best teams in the nation. 

Coach Eric Houle Said

"This schedule allows us to chase the best teams in the country. It's what we've done in the past, and what we need to do in order to develop this team to its fullest potential."
 

The Thunderbirds will kick off their season at the UVU Invitational in Orem, UT on September 1st. This meet will provide an early opportunity for the team to test their skills against other talented competitors. Next up, the Thunderbirds will travel to Riverside, CA on September 16th to participate in the UC Riverside Invitational. This meet will feature strong competition from various universities and serve as a valuable experience for the team as they look to make early progress. On September 29th, the Thunderbirds will travel to South Bend, IN to take part in the prestigious Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame. This meet will provide an exciting opportunity for the team to compete against top-tier programs from across the nation.

Returning to their home turf in Cedar City, UT, the Thunderbirds will host the SUU Color Country Invitational and Alumni Race on October 7th. This event will not only allow the team a chance to compete in front of their home crowd but also provide an opportunity for former Thunderbirds to reunite and showcase their skills as they support the program. The race will be held at Cedar Ridge golf course and will feature an up-and-down course that challenges the athletes to maintain an even pace.  

October 13th and 14th, the Thunderbirds will be split between two different events. The men's team will travel to Charlottesville, VA for the Pre-Nationals, an important meet that will serve as a preview to the NCAA DI National XC Championships. Meanwhile, the women's team will compete in the Santa Clara Bronco Invite in Santa Clara, CA, facing off against tough opponents from various universities out 

The Thunderbirds will travel to Abilene, TX on October 28th to compete in the WAC Championships, hosted by Abilene Christian University. This conference championship event will determine the WAC champion and allow the Thunderbirds to showcase their talent against conference rivals.

On November 10th and 11th, the Thunderbirds will head to Lubbock, TX to participate in the Mountain Regionals, hosted by Texas Tech University. This event will bring together teams from the region, and the Thunderbirds will aim to secure a qualifying spot for the NCAA DI National XC Championships. 

Coach Houle's determination to chase the best teams in the country reflects the team's commitment to reaching their fullest potential. From invitational meets to championship events, the Thunderbirds will showcase their talent against top-tier programs. With races on their home turf and challenging events across the nation, the Thunderbirds are poised to make their mark in 2023. Get ready for an exhilarating journey as the Thunderbirds aim for excellence and inspire fans along the way.

Follow Us

Stay up to date during the 2023 Thunderbird Cross Country season by following @SUUTFXC on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Track & Field and Cross Country page on Facebook