Upcoming Event: Cross Country versus Nuttycombe Invitational on October 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Cross Country
vs Nuttycombe Invitational
Coaches Bios
10/30/2000 12:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 30, 2000
Mike Jones, Head Coach
For 23 years, Mike Jones has been the driving force behind the success of Utah's cross country and track and field teams. In 1996, Jones led Utah through the successful reinstatement of the women's track and field program after a 10-year hiatus. In 1999 Jones led the running program into the newly created Mountain West Conference. He was named the WAC Cross Country Coach of the Year for the second time in five seasons in 1998. This will be the second year in the MWC for the Utah running program. "I like the MWC more than I did the WAC. You're competing against schools which recruit and develop local athletes. This creates an equal chance for success throughout the conference," said Coach Jones. The eight-team conference also includes Air Force, Brigham Young, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming. Jones' dedication to the Ute program has led to 24 All-American selections and five individual qualifiers for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Brenda Alcorn, a two-time All-American high jumper (1989 and 1991), was a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award in 1991. Traci (Olsen) Stevens was a 1992 All-American high jumper and a five-time national qualifier. Stevens also finished sixth at the 1992 NCAA Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., and placed 16th at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Helping with the coaching duties are two former Ute runners, Chris Merkley and Jeff Simonich. Merkley was an All-American last year in cross country and placed 11th in 30:45 at the NCAA National Championships. This is Simonich's second year helping with the coaching duties. He was an All-American in cross country in 1998 and in indoor and outdoor track in in 1998 and `99. Simonich was also named the WAC Cross Country Male Athlete of the Year in 1998. Some of the other All-Americans coached by Jones include: Jill Molen (1981-83), who received seven All-American citations, Mary Lou Sedgwick (1981), Carla Pittelkow (1983), John Aalberg (1986) and Celsa Bowman (1987). Jones has also produced several successful teams. In 1981, Jones led the Utah women to the AIAW Division II national championship and received national and conference coach of the year honors. His teams placed second in the conference in 1984 and 1989. In 1998, his men's cross country team broke into the national rankings at No. 24 and finished sixth out of 14 teams at the NCAA Mountain Region meet.
Thomas Porter, Assistant Cross Country and Distance Track Coach
Thomas Porter is entering his sixth season on the coaching staff at Utah following a successful career as a Ute distance runner. Beginning his coaching career as a student assistant during 1995-96 season, Porter spent the two previous seasons as a competitor with the Ute cross country team. Porter was a varsity letterwinner at Murray High School (Utah). The Salt Lake City native graduated from Utah in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Spanish. Porter is married to the former Cari Thomas. The couple has two children.
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