University of Providence Athletics

The University of Providence cross country program has been developing the foundation needed to be competitive within the Frontier Conference and the rest of the NAIA. The Argo men and women both finished fourth in the team standings at the Frontier Conference Championships this past in 2016, with freshman runner Baylee Green qualifying to compete in the 2016 NAIA National Cross Country Meet which was held in Elsha, Ill.  In the past five seasons, nine individuals (three men, and six women) have qualified for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships.
 
The University of Providence track and field program has been making strides, as well. In the past five years, 28 individuals (11 men, and 17 women) have qualified to compete in the NAIA National Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships with three earning All-American honors. Tanner Boone, Jace Kalbfleisch, Matt Robb and Peyton Jones competed in the Marathon, while Trevor Pepin competed in the Javelin at the 2017 Men’s NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships, while Daphne Puckett (Shot Put), Breanna Jones (Hammer Throw) and Shana Cosby (javelin) each competed at the 2017 Women’s NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Claudia Hewston (Marathon) had qualified also, but was unable to compete.
 
In the span of 24 years, Bill Brist has achieved numerous accomplishments coaching at both the collegiate and high school levels. His efforts are now dedicated towards continuing those levels of success here at the University of Providence. Brist was hired as the head coach of both the cross country and track & field program in June 2012.
 
In 2004, Brist became the head cross country coach at Whitefish High School in Whitefish, Mont., where he coached for eight years. In that time his teams won four state championships in addition to four other trophies. His teams won a total of eight divisional championships, while 25 individuals earned All-State honors. As the WHS track distance coach, the program won two team state championships and an additional four other trophies. He coached a total of five individuals to state titles in the distance events.
 
In 1998, Bill took over the men's cross country program at Flathead Valley Community College. During that time his team finished in the top 10 at the NJCAA National Championships on three occasions. He coached four individuals to All-American status, and one individual to the NJCAA National Individual Championship.
 
His first coaching stint was at Flathead High, as an assistant to Paul Jorgensen in the cross country program. During his five years at FHS, the program earned five state team championships, and won state trophies on five other occasions. He also coached, as an assistant, with the FHS track and field programs (girls’ pole vault). During that period the FHS track teams earned a total of 10 State Team titles and earned trophies at State on four other occasions. He coached a dozen young ladies over ten feet in the pole vault including 3 over 11-6". This included a two-time State Champion.
 
In total, Brist has been on the coaching staff of 21 state championship high school cross country and track and field teams during his high school coaching career.  Eight teams have been state championship runner-up, while another nine teams placed third at the State Championship. That's a total of 38 teams to have earned state trophies during his high school coaching career.
 
He was a multi-year letter-winner, captain and record holder as a distance-runner at Flathead High School in Kalispell, Mont.  He then went on to be a captain, record-holder and a several time All-Big Sky Selection in both cross country and track at Montana State University.  While a freshman at MSU, he was the USA National Junior Cross Country 8K champion and went on to represent the United States at the World Cross Country Championships in Gateshead, England, in 1983.
 
The Details
 
Coached at several different levels:  Whitefish High School and Flathead High School track and cross country, Flathead Valley Community College men's cross country.  Director: Northwest Montana Distance Running Camp (www.mtrunningcamp.com).  Certified USATF Track and Field, Level I.
 
Coaching Background
 
Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach (University of Providence - June 2012 to present: 9 Cross Country National Qualifiers (3 men, 6 women),  28 Track & Field National Qualifiers (11 men, 17 women), 29 Academic All-American Teams (5 XC men, 4 XC women, 5 Indoor TF men, 5 Indoor TF women, 5 Outdoor TF men, 5 Outdoor TF women), 61 Academic All-American Individuals (14 XC men, 10 XC women, 17 TF men, 20 TF women), 209 Academic All-Conference Individuals (29 XC men, 20 XC women, 35 Indoor TF men, 43 Indoor TF women, 39 Outdoor TF men, 43 Outdoor TF women)
 
Head Coach Cross Country (Whitefish High School – July 2004 to June 2012): Four State Class A championship teams (girls), one state Class A Runner-up Team (boys), three state Class A third-place teams (2 boys, 1 girls), eight Northwest A conference championship teams (five girls, three boys), 25 All-State athletes, 45 All-Conference athletes, two Class A individual state champions (one boy, on girl).  Coached one individual who earned Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year.
 
Assistant Coach Track & Field (Whitefish High School – Aug 2004 to June 2012):  Two Class A state championship teams (boys),  two Class A state runner-up teams (girls), two Class A third-place Teams (boys),  five Class A individual state champions (boys 800, 1,600, 3200),  (girls 800, 3200).
 
Men's Head Coach Cross Country (Flathead Valley Comm. College 1998-2003): Three top 10 NJCAA Div. III finishes, four NJCAA All-American athletes, one NJCAA individual national champion.
 
Assistant Coach Cross Country (Flathead High School 1993-1997): Five Class AA state championship teams (three girls, two boys), three Class AA state runner-up teams (two girls, one boys), two Class AA third-place Teams (boys).
 
Assistant Coach Track & Field (Flathead High School  1995 – 2004): 10 Class AA state championship teams (six boys, four girls), two Class AA state runner-up teams (girls), Class AA third-place teams (one boys, one girls), two Class AA individual state champions (girls pole vault).
 
Athletic Background
 
Montana State University (B.S. in Secondary Education): Two-time All Big-Sky cross country performer, two-time All Big-Sky track and field performer, former 5,000-meter outdoor record-holder, former two-mile indoor record-holder, USA National Junior 8K cross country champion 1983, competed in the 1983 World Junior cross country championships, participated in 1983 Junior Elite Distance Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
Flathead High School (1982)