Upcoming Event: Cross Country versus Big 12 Championships on October 31, 2025 at TBD
TBD
Cross Country
vs Big 12 Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
Cross Country Coach, Athlete Earn WAC Honors
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Cross Country
October 31, 1998
Houston - University of Utah senior Jeff Simonich won the men's 8,000 meter race at the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday and was voted WAC Athlete of the Year. Head Coach Mike Jones was voted WAC Cross Country Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
"Jeff's performance was phenomenal. He is a very strong runner, running more than 100 miles per week. His strength really helped him finish today," said Jones. "The humidity was a factor for Jeff and the team coming down from the mountains."
Simonich finished the course in 23:57, a time he set before the race. "I wanted the other opponents to challenge me more, but I really got out in front," Simonich said.
"It was really hot today, and that probably was a factor. I set a goal to have a sub-24 minute performance and I feel great to have accomplished that." Utah's men's team came away with a fourth place finish in the WAC. Dane Miller (24:57) and Travis Hildebrand (25:14) placed in the top ten. The women's team took fifth, with junior Johanna Nielsen (18:15) finishing as Utah's top runner, 15th overall in the 5,000 meter race.
The Utes will have two weeks off to prepare for the NCAA District VII Championships hosted by BYU on Nov. 14 in Provo.
Men's Team Finish Women's Team Finish 1. Brigham Young 77 1. Brigham Young 22 2. Air Force Academy 100 2. Colorado State 84 3. Wyoming 109 3. TCU 107 4. University of Utah 110 4. Air Force Academy 157 5. University of Utah 159Men's Individual Women's Individual 1. Jeff Simonich (Utah) 23:57 1. Maggie Chan (BYU) 16:54 4. Dane Miller (Utah) 24:57 15. Johanna Nielsen (Utah) 18:15 8. Travis Hildebrand (Utah) 25:14 34. Mandy Boice (Utah) 18:58 49. Erik Vernon (Utah) 26:49 35. Britta Schaer (Utah) 18:59 57. Mark Bunker (Utah) 27:03 40. Erika Floyd (Utah) 19:09 65. Phil Stoddard (Utah) 27:27 46. Amber Radke (Utah) 19:18 87. Luke Mercier (Utah) 29:11 64. Brooke Babbitt (Utah) 19:46 88. Larry Stanley (Utah) 29:22 90. Tara Tidwell (Utah) 20:21
Coach Kyle Kepler celebrates 20 years at the helm of Utah Cross Country/Track & Field
Monday, August 11
Utah Cross Country's McKaylie Caesar Feature - A Medical Miracle
Tuesday, April 29
Utes Insider – Cross Country Runner Bella Williams
Wednesday, November 17
2019 Track & XC - Meet the Teams
Thursday, September 05