University of Sioux Falls Athletics

From the first mile he raced to the last finish line he crossed, Mason Phillips defined excellence for the University of Sioux Falls Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Competing from 2015 to 2019, Phillips emerged as one of the most decorated athletes in USF history, leaving behind a record book filled with his name and a legacy built on consistency, determination, and championship performances. 

A six-time All-American, Phillips excelled in both cross country and track & field, collecting 28 individual victories and 49 top-2 finishes during his career. On the track, he was a two-time NSIC Indoor Champion in the mile and 3,000 meter run, and by the time he graduated, he held six individual school records and three relay marks. 

In cross country, Phillips reached even greater heights. He was crowned the 2017 NSIC Champion and later that fall claimed the NCAA Central Region title, earning recognition as both the NSIC Cross Country Athlete of the Year and Central Region Athlete of the Year. That season helped establish him as one of the premier distance runners in the nation. 

Phillips’ accomplishments were matched by the respect he earned throughout the conference. He was named NSIC Indoor Athlete of the Year in 2018, a two-time Preseason Athlete of the Year, and a nine-time NSIC Athlete of the Week honoree and was recognized as the USF Male Athlete of the Year. 

More than medals and records, Mason Phillips represented the best of USF Athletics. His career stands as one of the most accomplished in USF cross country and track & field history, and his name will forever be remembered among the greats. Phillips now resides in Loveland, Colorado where he owns and operates his own painting company.