OREM, Utah - Southern Utah University's cross country program started the season off strong with the Utah Valley University Invitational at Scera Park on Aug. 29. The event marks the first official collegiate competition for nine of the 15 Thunderbirds who traveled to Orem, Utah.
Coach Eric Houle said:
"The women's team performed well, especially against some very mature teams. So, I believe we're off to a good start. Our men's team also performed well, and we have some younger people coming up the ranks who I believe will be ready when the end of the season starts to approach."
Women's Recap
Facing a tough field of 72 athletes, including racers from UVU, the University of Utah, and the University of Oregon, the young Thunderbird women's team rose to the occasion in the three-mile.
Leading the team after an impressive freshman season, sophomore Audrey Hales earned 12th place with a time of 17:56.2. Freshman Nixie Killpack crossed the line shortly after at 18:03.4 for 16th place. Taylor Jorgensen finished 20th with an 18:21.7, and freshman Aspen Hacker took 22nd with an 18:26.8.
With an 18:52.0, freshman Helen Glaze placed 34th. Concluding a solid team performance, Sammi Stewart landed 38th with a time of 18:59.4, and freshman Claire Hoenes scooped 44th thanks to a 19:22.7 race.
Men's Recap
The top five competitors performed well on the men's side, each finishing in the top 25 of 92 total racers.
Logan Peel impressed in his third year of competition, clinching third place with a swift 14:28.3 race. Also finishing under the 15-minute mark, freshman Jacob Jones snatched 18th after running a 14:59.7. Crossing the line in a cluster, freshman Todd Yeates secured 22nd, sophomore Cory Bunker earned 24th, and freshman Tyler Saunders took 25th, with times of 15:15.7, 15:19.7, and 15:19.7, respectively.
Taking 40th with a time of 15:42.1, Garrison Shindler crossed next. Freshman Ezra Nelson rounded out the team in 42nd with a 15:44.7.
Up Next
Southern Utah will bunker down for nearly a month of training before they compete in a measuring-stick meet at the UC Riverside Invitational in Riverside, Calif. on Saturday, Sep. 27.
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