Men's Cross Country | 8/13/2024 4:00:00 PM

(St. George, Utah - Aug. 13, 2024) - Utah Tech cross country head coach Justin Decker announced the addition of assistant coach Josh Thompson to the coaching staff on Tuesday.

A distinguished professional track and field athlete for Nike, specializing in the 1500 meters, Thompson is a product of Moapa Valley High School in Nevada, where he excelled in track and cross country, winning two state championships each in the 3200 meters and cross country, and played a key role in his team's 2010 Nevada State Track & Field championship and the 2011 Nevada State Basketball championship. 

Recruited by Central Arizona College, Thompson made his mark in both track and basketball before serving a two-year LDS mission in Nicaragua. 

He continued his athletic career at Oklahoma State where he won five Big 12 titles and qualified for the NCAA Championships five times. Notably, in February 2016, Thompson made history as the first Nevada native to run a mile in under four minutes with a time of 3:58.33 at the Husky Classic and placed fourth in the 1500 meters at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. 

After graduating, he signed a professional contract with Nike and joined the Bowerman Track Club based in Portland, Oregon. Over his seven-year professional career, Thompson has competed in two World Championships and was a World Finalist in both the 2022 Indoor World Championships in the 1500 meters in Serbia and the 2022 Outdoor World Championships in the 1500 meters in Eugene, Oregon.

Thompson's notable achievements include winning the 1500 meters at The Match Europe vs. USA in 2019, the 2019 ISTAF Berlin and the 2020 USATF Indoor 1500 meters. Thompson also earned silver in the 1500 meters at the 2022 USATF Indoor Track & Field Championship.

Thompson placed third in both the 2019 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2022 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He has qualified for 13 USATF National Championship meets and competed in the 2021 USA Olympic Trials where he placed sixth in the U.S. 1500 meters final. Thompson holds personal bests of 3:34.77 in the 1500 meters and 3:52.49 in the mile.

Thompson and his wife, Bryce, have two children, Jett and Remi. They are expecting a third child, a daughter, in December 2024.