Riverside, Calif. - The Southern Utah University cross country program performed well against Western Athletic Conference and future Big Sky Conference opponents at the UC Riverside Invitational on Sep. 27. In a field of 24 teams, the women landed ninth with 303 points, and the men took 12th with a 283 score.
Freshmen athletes saw significant success for both Thunderbird teams, with Aspen Hacker setting a freshman record of 20:55.5 in the 6K for Southern Utah and Amit Cohen finding 14th place to kick off his collegiate career.
Coach Eric Houle said:
"What a great day for both teams. To finish as high as the teams did in this invitational and as young as they are is a strong indication of how good we will be now and in the future."
Women's Recap
In a talent-packed 6K, the women's team took ninth out of 24 teams. With a score of 303, the squad fended off future Big Sky opponent Eastern Washington University and in-state rival Utah Tech University. The Thunderbirds even came within ten points of toppling a consistently strong California Baptist University team.
Hacker stepped up into the leading role for Southern Utah, taking 17th with a time of 20:55.5 and breaking the school's freshman record for a 6K. Continuing their successful starts to the season, sophomore Audrey Hales earned 25th with a 21:00.8 and redshirt freshman Nixie Killpack reeled in 46th after racing a 21:15.2.
Rounding out SUU's top five, freshman Claire Hoenes and junior Taylor Jorgensen placed 110th and 126th, with times of 21:52.0 and 22:01.8 respectively. In addition, Bella Evans competed unattached due to her redshirt status this season, earning 37th with a 21:09.5 as she prepares for 2026.
Team Results:
17th - Aspen Hacker - 20:55.5
25th - Audrey Hales - 21:00.8
46th - Nixie Killpack - 21:15.2
110th - Claire Hoenes - 21:52.0
126th - Taylor Jorgensen - 22:01.8
136th - Sammi Stewart - 22:08.7
142nd - Aldana Navarrete-Lamas - 22:12.8
207th - Helen Glaze - 23:34.5
Men's Recap
In a come-from-behind finish, the men's team made their way from 15th to 12th in the last 2.5K of their 8K. Totalling 283 points, the Thunderbirds narrowly missed Eastern Washington's 258 score, but emerged ahead of Utah Tech and the hosting University of California, Riverside.
Locking up 14th in his first collegiate competition, Amit Cohen raced a 24:09.4. Freshman Jacob Jones followed in 38th with a 24:34.0 before Southern Utah's veteran racers, senior Garrison Shindler and sophomore Cory Bunker, crossed the line. Shindler took 89th with a 25:08.1, and Bunker stole 97th at 25:10.5.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Saunders slotted in at fifth for SUU, taking 105th overall with a 25:17.7.
Team Results:
14th - Amit Cohen - 24:09.4
38th - Jacob Jones - 24:34.0
89th - Garrison Shindler - 25:08.1
97th - Cory Bunker - 25:10.5
105th - Tyler Saunders - 25:17.7
126th - Todd Yeates - 25:27.9
140th - Ezra Nelson - 25:39.7
175th - Joshua Hernandez - 26:03.1
Up Next
The Thunderbirds will return home to Cedar City, Utah, to host the annual Color Country Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4th. The race will take place at Cedar Ridge Golf Course, where spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer for Southern Utah.
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