SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head cross country and track & field head coach Kyle Kepler earned a five-year extension through the 2028 season after guiding the Women of Utah to an unprecedented 2022-23 season.
“Kyle Kepler has done a tremendous job leading our cross country and track and field programs to unprecedented success, and I’m thrilled to extend his contract,” said Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics. “He has raised the bar for his programs over the past several years, including a significant number of school records in 2022-23, and his student-athletes consistently rank among our department’s top academic performers.”
The historic year for Kepler, who wrapped up his 18th season at the helm this spring, saw his team accomplish so much throughout the season. The 2022-23 campaign saw Utah tally seven All-America honors, one cross country win, 14 new school records and 30 new entries into the all-time record books between indoor and outdoor seasons and program highs in the number NCAA regional NCAA Championship qualifiers.
Additionally, the Women of Utah finished the 2022-23 campaign No. 9 in the final USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings – its highest finish in program history. All three finished their respective seasons in the top-25 with cross country checking in at No. 12, indoor track at No. 21 and outdoor track at No. 15 according to the USTFCCCA final polls.
“I’m grateful to be able to lead these programs for at least another five years,” said Kepler. “With the help of many outstanding professionals and administrators over the last 18 years, we’ve been able to build a national level program. I’m appreciative of the outstanding leadership provided by our Director of Athletics, Mark Harlan, and the entire administration. I’m especially thankful for Associated AD Liz Prince, who oversees these programs on a daily basis for all of her support.”
Utah kicked off 2022 cross country season with a bang, sweeping the podium at the Roy Griak Invitational. Emily Ventes led the way for Utah capturing her first-career victory while the Utes took home the team title. Her time of 20:33.2 was the fifth-fastest time on that course since it was lengthened to 6k in 2000 and was the fastest mark since 2011.
After taking eighth at a stacked Nuttycombe Invitational, the Women of Utah took second at the Pac-12…
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at University of Utah Athletics…