CEDAR CITY, Utah - Aug. 27 - Southern Utah cross country will open its 2008 season when the team takes part in the Idaho State Invitational this weekend. The meet will mark the third consecutive year that the Thunderbirds have began their season in Pocatello.

“After the early conditioning and time trials this year, it looks like we could be a good team,” head coach Eric Houle said. “We are coming into this season better conditioned and better prepared and this meet will give us a good starting point to see if we will make a run for the conference championship.”

Southern Utah will return three conference newcomers of the year in Cameron Levins (2007), Kevin Sandall (2005) and Dave Sheeran (2004) and blend the returning talent with incoming freshmen Nathan Jewkes and Nigel Sharp. Jewkes finished second in the state of Utah as a senior with Sharp finishing five at the Canadian Junior Nationals.

The women will return a bevy of talent as well with 2007 Summit League Newcomer of the year Steffi Minson leading the charge. She will be joined by fellow sophomores Diana Medina and Lynzee Baxter and be joined by freshmen Kiersten Blauer and Kirsten Sly.

Blauer and Sly each recorded top-four finishes during their high school careers with Blauer claiming the 3,200-meter Utah 2A state title and Sly finishing fourth in the same event on the 5A level.

Southern Utah is expected to compete against teams from Idaho State and Utah Valley when the meet begins on Saturday.

For the complete release with records and stats, click on the link at the top of the page.