Southern Utah University Athletics

Mike Tornifolio will enter his third season with the Thunderbirds as a graduate assistant, working with the pole vaulters and jumpers.

In his first year with the Thunderbirds, Southern Utah jumpers posted 14 top-10 marks in the SUU record books during the indoor and outdoor season.  In addition, Wade Nielson advanced to the NCAA West Regional meet in the high jump during the outdoor season.

Nielson returned to the NCAA Regional meet under Tornifolio's watch again in 2010, qualifying in the men's high jump.  Tornifolio's charges also made their mark on the SUU indoor record books as Nielson and Shaye Maurer broke the records in the heptathlon and pentathlon, respectively.  In all in 2010, Southern Utah jumpers posted a combined 25 new marks in the all-time top-ten list at SUU.

Tornifolio finished a four-year career with Ohio Weslyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he competed in the pole vault.  He was a six-time all-conference selection for the Battling Bishop in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

In 2007, Tornifolio captured the NCAC title in the pole vault during the indoor season.

Tornifolio is USATF Level 2 certified in the jumps.  He completed his degree in physical education in 2008, is single and currently resides in Cedar City.