CEDAR CITY, Utah - Oct. 5 - Southern Utah is preparing to host Utah Valley University at the only home meet of the season this Saturday, the Color Country Invitational, at the Cedar Ridge course. The Thunderbirds swept the competition last year when both the men's and women's teams finished in first place over Utah Valley and Idaho State.

"This will be a good race for the women and another opportunity to get faster," said head coach Eric Houle. "We have a younger team this year, so we're in the process of developing and getting really competitive. For the men, we want really figure out who the top five guys are and hopefully we'll break up some of UVU's top guys."

The men finished with three Thunderbirds in the top four at last season's meet, led by Cameron Levins in first place with a time of 25:22. Kevin Sandall finished in third place with a time of 25:47 and was followed by freshman Hayden Hawks in fourth place (25:49). Dallas Eborn (26:18) and Skylar Riggs (26:50) wrapped up the top five in tenth and 21st places respectively.

The women were led by Sharla Manuele who also finished in first place with a time of 21:55. Diana Medina followed in third place (22:22) and Sylvia Bedford finished in sixth with a time of 23:00. Madalyn Olpin came next in eighth place (23:09) and Kirsten Bradford finished in eleventh place with a time of 23:16.6.

There will also be some sibling rivalry at the invitational, as Coach Houle competes against his younger brother Scott Houle, the head coach at Utah Valley.

The Thunderbirds will be back on the road as they next travel to Terre Haute, Ind. for the NCAA Pre-nationals on Oct. 16.

SUU Media Relations