The Southern Utah Thunderbirds men's cross country team is the men's cross country team that represents Southern Utah University (SUU) in Cedar City, Utah. The school's team currently competes in the Western Athletic Conference from 2022 forward. SUU previously competed in the Big Sky Conference from 2012 to 2021, the Summit League from 2007 to 2011, the Mid-Continent Conference (which became the Summit League) from 1997 to 2006, the American West Conference from 1993 to 1996, Independent from 1987 to 1992, and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1967 to 1986. The Thunderbirds are currently coached by Eric Houle. SUU is one of 319 NCAA Division I cross country teams in the nation.
History of coaches Eric Houle: Head Cross Country Coach from 1992–present (2024) (33 years). Led the Thunderbirds to 13 Conference Championships. Houle was named the Mountain Regional Coach of the Year in 1999, and the Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2020.
Notable athletes Cameron Levins: Summit League XC Champion in 2009 and 2011; 4th in the nation at the 2011 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships; NCAA Champion in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters in 2012; The Bowerman award winner in 2012; three-time Canadian XC Champion in 2010, 2011, & 2012; and two-time Olympian in 2012 (London) and 2020 (Tokyo). Mike Tate: is a notable long-distance runner who was the Canadian XC Champion in 2019 and Canadian 5,000 Meter Champion in 2021. Hayden Hawks: is an American professional trail and ultramarathon runner. He has finished top three (1st place six times) at 9 of the most competitive trail ultramarathons in the world, and he set course records at two of them.
Championship results Top 25 in the nation (7) SUU has placed in the Top 25 in the nation in 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, and 1999. At the 2020 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, SUU took 9th in the nation.
Mountain region champions (1) SUU won the Mountain region championship in 1999.
Conference champions (13) SUU has won 13 Men's Conference Championships – Big Sky (2) in 2020 and 2015, and the Summit League (11), which was previously the Mid-Continent Conference from 1997 to 2006, in 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997.
Second place finishes (8) WAC (2) in 2024 and 2022, Big Sky (5) in 2021, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2013, and the Summit League (1) in 2009.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association is the governing body for men's cross country in the United States. Below are the final yearly race results:
Yearly results 2024 Eric Houle 11th 2nd 2023 Eric Houle 11th 3rd 2022 Eric Houle 11th 2nd 2021 Eric Houle 24th 5th 2nd 2020 Eric Houle 9th 1st 2019 Eric Houle 33rd 8th 4th 2018 Eric Houle 21st 5th 3rd 2017 Eric Houle 11th 6th 2nd 2016 Eric Houle 27th 6th 2nd 2015 Eric Houle 21st 4th 1st 2014 Eric Houle 22nd 2nd 2013 Eric Houle 33rd 7th 2nd 2012 Eric Houle 8th 3rd 2011 Eric Houle 5th 1st 2010 Eric Houle 5th 2009 Eric Houle 11th 2nd 2008 Eric Houle 9th 1st 2007 Eric Houle 12th 1st 2006 Eric Houle 1st 2005 Eric Houle 2004 Eric Houle 1st 2003 Eric Houle 1st 2002 Eric Houle 2001 Eric Houle 1st 2000 Eric Houle 51st 1st 1999 Eric Houle 21st 1st 1st 1998 Eric Houle 1st 1997 Eric Houle 1st 1996 Eric Houle 1995 Eric Houle 1994 Eric Houle 1993 Eric Houle 1992 Eric Houle
Conference awards 2024 WAC Santiago GaitanJacob PetersonTravis FeenyHayden Harward Coleman Cragun 2023 WAC Jacob PetersonTravis Feeny Coleman CragunNoah Jenkins 2022 WAC Isaiah LabraTravis FeenySantiago Gaitan Hayden Harward 2021 Big Sky Christian RickettsNate OsterstockKevin Ramos Isaiah Labra 2020 Big Sky Stefen RasmusonAiden ReedNate OsterstockChristian Ricketts Isaiah LabraSantiago GaitanTravis Feeny 2019 Big Sky Sean NewcombChristian RickettsNate Osterstock 2018 Big Sky Christian RickettsAiden ReedNate Osterstock 2017 Big Sky Mike TateMatthew WrightJosh CollinsKasey Knevelbaard George EspinoAiden ReedChristian Ricketts 2016 Big Sky Matthew WrightJosh CollinsAiden Reed Kasey KnevelbaardGeorge EspinoLiam Kennell 2015 Big Sky Hayden HawksMike TateMatthew WrightJosh CollinsIbrahim Ahmed Shinano MiyazawaIstvan Szogi 2014 Big Sky Nate JewkesHayden Hawks Mike Tate 2013 Big Sky Ryan BarrusMike TateDylan Marx Hayden HawksClinton Rhoton 2012 Big Sky Nate JewkesRyan Barrus Elijah RonoClinton RhotonDevan Antczak 2011 Summit Cameron Levins 2010 Summit 2009 Summit Cameron Levins 2008 Summit Cameron Levins 2007 Summit Cameron Levins
References
External links