With 24 top-20 finishes since 2000 for the BYU men's cross country team, the Cougar distance squad continues to be a strong force among the nation's elite. Domination at the conference level has only been part of the success of Eyestone’s team of talented runners. In the 2006 season, senior Josh Rohatinsky did what only his coach had done at BYU before: He brought home the National Champion title.
With Rohatinsky's title, BYU secured it's first individual champion of the 21st century, and Coach Eyestone became the only man ever to win the individual title as both a runner and a coach. Fourteen years later, Conner Mantz would win his first of two individual titles (2020 and 2021). Mantz became one of only fourteen runners to ever win the race more than once. BYU now sits tied for fifth all time with the University of Colorado with four individual championships, on top of their two team championships.
Coach Ed Eyestone
The team benefits from the outstanding coaching skills of two-time Olympian Ed Eyestone. Eyestone’s ability to mold already gifted athletes into national powerhouses has developed BYU’s reputation as one of the top distance schools nationwide. The Cougars have qualified for Nationals every year since Eyestone’s arrival in 2000. The 2019 and 2024 men's cross country national championships are a culmination of the stellar contributions of past athletes, current athletes and a staff that spends countless hours preparing BYU to compete at the highest level each season.
Professional Runners from BYU
Upon graduation, many of the nation’s elite are offered endorsements to continue their running at a professional level. BYU has had several athletes currently compete professionally following their BYU careers:
Kenneth Rooks
Conner Mantz
Clayton Young
Josh McAdams
Kyle Perry
Josh Rohatinsky
Miles Batty
Jared Ward
Olympians
| YEAR | NAME | EVENT |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | James Corrigan | 3,000m Steeple |
| 2024 | Kenneth Rooks | 3,000m Steeple (2nd) |
| 2016 | Jared Ward | Marathon (6th) |
| 2008 | Josh McAdams | 3,000m Steeple |
| 2000 | Jason Pyrah | 1,500m (10th) |
| 1996 | Jason Pyrah | 1,500m |
| 1992 | Ed Eyestone | Marathon |
| 1988 | Henry Marsh | 3,000m Steeple |
| 1988 | Doug Padilla | 5,000m |
| 1988 | Ed Eyestone | Marathon |
| 1984 | Paul Cummings | 10,000m |
| 1984 | Henry Marsh | 3,000m Steeple |
| 1984 | Doug Padilla | 5,000m |
| 1980 | Henry Marsh | 3,000m Steeple |
| 1976 | Henry Marsh | 3,000m Steeple (10th) |
| 1976 | Lasse Viren | Marathon (5th) |
| 1976 | Lasse Viren | 5,000m (1st) |
| 1976 | Lasse Viren | 10,000m (1st) |
| 1976 | Laman Palma | Marathon |
| 1972 | Lasse Viren | 5,000m (1st) |
| 1972 | Lasse Viren | 10,000m (1st) |
| 1972 | Pekka Vasala | 1,500m (1st) |
| 1972 | Usuia Sotutu | 5,000m Steeple |
| 1972 | Usuia Sotutu | 3,000m Steeple |
| 1948 | Clarence Robison | 5,000m |