Covington Named Cross Country Head Coach

SNU welcomes Colten Covington as the fifth head coach SNU Cross Country history

BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Danny Thomason, announced the hiring of Colten Covington as the fifth head coach of the Southern Nazarene Men's and Women's Cross Country teams. "Colten's strong desire to be a part of the SNU Athletics family was apparent from his first interview, and his passion to grow SNU Cross Country into a successful program while making our Mission most important was why he was our first choice," said Thomason.

Covington comes to Southern Nazarene from Indiana Wesleyan where he spent one season as a graduate assistant for the Wildcats. During his time as a coach at IWU, Covington helped lead the Wildcats to a fifth place national finish in cross country at the NAIA level in 2024.

"Southern Nazarene is a place filled with Christ like leaders and I'm humbled to step into a program that is being invested in. Being able to have a front row seat to watch student-athletes worship through their gifts is a blessing that leaves me in awe and I'm humbled for this opportunity. I'm excited to watch the program grow and to witness what the Lord is going to do. Bolts Up!"

Covington attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he competed on the Men's Cross Country team for four seasons. He then took his talents to Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Indiana where he finished his career. During his time as a collegiate athlete, he was a 13-time National Qualifier at the NAIA level. He won two individual conference titles; one at Cornerstone University and the other at Indiana Wesleyan. Covington earned NAIA All-American honors twice in the Men's Indoor 5k and once in the Men's Outdoor 10k. He was also a part of five team conference championships, winning at both Cornerstone and Indiana Wesleyan. Covington's success did not end there, he was named the Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year in 2023.

Covington graduated from Cornerstone University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in sports management. In 2025, he graduated from Indiana Wesleyan with a master's degree in sports leadership.

Colten will marry his fiancee Rebecca in June of this year.

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