I’m proud to report that the Chico State men’s and women’s cross country teams enjoyed great success at 
this weekend’s Sundodger Invitational hosted by the University of Washington.  The men’s “A” team scored 
a big win in the the Division I men’s Invit race, while the ‘Cats “B” team won the College Open race, 
which featured several nationally ranked DII squads.  The Wildcat women finished third overall in the 
28-team women’s College Open race capping a great day of racing for the Chico harriers.  

Men’s Invitational 8k:  It took some convincing, but the Chico coaching staff worked hard to talk their 
men’s squad into the Division I Invitational section of this year’s Sundodger Invit.  This allowed the 
top ‘Cats to run in a solid Division I field, and perhaps even more importantly allowed our second group 
of 9 runners on the deep roster to run as a scoring team in the College Open race (featuring two ranked 
DII teams).  I’ll talk about the men’s open field in a moment but first we’ll start with the Invitational
race where the ‘Cats would be pitted up against squads from University of Washington, Washington State, 
UC Riverside, Boise State, UC Davis, Idaho, and more.....  The goal for the ‘Cats was to win the team title, 
but to approach the opening kilometers with caution.  This plan worked to perfection as the Chico Wildcats 
( the only DII team entered) moved through the field well while securing the team victory.  

By far the plan that worked best on this day was the one that Junior Scott Bauhs employed over the course 
of 8 kilometers.  Earlier in the week Bauhs had spoken of an attack on the existing course record (23:42), 
and coaches reminded him that the record might come, but to focus more on winning the race, than a specific 
time.  Running within himself over the first of four circuits of the 2 kilometer loop and Still pulling the 
field from the front, Bauhs quickly set out alone during the second mile, establishing a comfortable lead 
that he would maintain through the remainder of the race.  While Bauhs excited the Chico contingent present 
with his front running tactics, teammates behind worked hard as well, to help secure the victory.  After 
Bauhs separated from the field with his 4:40ish second mile, teammate Charlie Serrano became locked in a 
battle with Boise State runner Forest Braden a very accomplished DI runner (13:47 5k pr, DI XC All American).  
Serrano chased Braden over each circuit, pulling away from most pursuers, but unable to overtake the strong 
Boise runner.  Having battled Braden over the initial 6k, Serrano tired and was caught in the final mile by 
Davis Senior Chris Ferren-Cirino.  Running very smart tactical races Antonio Miramontes and Kyle Ivie passed 
nearly 30 runners in the final 4 miles while eventually finishing among the top 10 overall. With 4 finishers 
among the top 10 overall, the Wildcats were now in the drivers seat for the team title, and now it was a 
matter of getting a fifth and final scorer through the line.  That runner would come in the form of Beau 
Bettinger who cut the tape 17th overall.  Final Chico runners Rory Kuykendall and Tim Tollefson each 
finished among the top third of the field while breaking the 25 min mark for the first time in their careers.  
Times mean little in Cross Country as courses vary w/ respect to terrain, footing etc.... But the 24:14 team
average posted by the ‘Cats this week was a very impressive mark.  One race down and two to go!!! 

Men’s College/Open 8k: In the days leading up to the Sundodger meet Chico coaches and athletes were anxious 
to see how the ‘Cats “B” squad would fare against nationally ranked Western Washington and Alaska Anchorage.
Since we’re not able to send a second squad to the line of championship races, the guys were very motivated 
to prove just how deep the Chico State men’s roster really is.  It took just 25 minutes and 46 seconds for 
the ‘Cats to make this clear (team depth), while clinching their second team title of the day.  With 5 red 
shirt frosh running in the top 7 of this young group, the Wildcats outdistanced runner-up Western Washington 
by 18 points, and NAIA ranked Concordia (OR) by 40+.   Angel Marquez a RS Soph lead the way with a solid 6th
place showing (24:57).  RS Frosh Michael Wickman followed closely in 13th place while teammates Nick Clinton
and Jordan Fairley gave the squad 4 inside the top 17.  RS Frosh Eddie Serna who’d put himself in the mix 
from the start, struggled over the final kilometer, but held tight to guarantee the win.  Thomas Whitcomb and
Alex Sharp closed out the ‘Cats seven with 47th and 51st place efforts.  I’ve had many congratulatory 
comments since Saturday, most directed towards what our men’s “A” squad had done in the Division I field, 
but I have to admit that I was just as proud of this group of developing runners.  Stepping into a high 
powered and very large field these guys ran with a plan to win, and achieved this goal.  A job well done!!!

Women’s Open 6k:  With some new faces in the Wildcat line-up this year it was known that there would be 
some learning experiences as they move through the course of the season.  On Saturday our women learned 
a valuable lesson that may have cost them a shot at the team title. That of, “getting yourself into position
to race early.”  Thankfully this title was only the Sundodger one and not one of the championship variety, 
so the experience gained should actually turn into a positive experience that the women can and will learn 
from.  It should be known before I go on, that the women finished 3rd out of the 23 competing teams, so this 
was NOT a poor outing, just one that probably could have been much closer if we’d have played our cards a 
bit better. Anyhow, on to the race... 

From the gun the women settled into a very large 265 runner field too much.  Mary Torres, Sarah Montez and 
Lindsay Nelson each ran among the top 70 overall @ 400m, but were far from the lead group which included 
several of the same Seattle Pacific women who we’d put four in front of last weekend.  Our work was not cut 
out for us.  Torres and Montez ran furiously over the middle and final kilometers of the course, making up 
for their early slip-up.  With less than a half mile remaining Torres had moved into 2nd overall and appeared
to have a chance for the win, but SPU super frosh Jessica Pixler (WA HS state track champ last Spring) held 
tight for the win.  Torres kicked hard, but was passed over the final meters by a very quick closing Rebecca 
Johnstone of Simon Frasier.  Torres was disappointed to have lost the kick w/ Johnstone BEFORE I told her 
that Johnstone had run 2:01 for 800m on the track last Spring!  A nice outing for Mary who will have another
shot at Pixler at Regionals in November.  Sarah Montez closed well while also nailing down a Top-10 finish. 
Junior Lindsay Nelson passed a good portion of those who had separated her from the front of the field early 
in the race, but missed several of the SPU women who she’d beaten the weekend before in Chico.  Dinora Moran 
and Aisha Kamala continued their improved running while finishing the ‘Cats scoring with 26th and 32nd place 
outings.  Running their first races of the year and still working into shape (post injury) are Julie Shaw 
and Allison Ivie who looked strong while finishing among the top 1/4 of the field.  As these two continue 
to progress in fitness the women’s team should continue to grow stronger.  The end team result was a third 
place finish for the ladies behind SFU and Seattle Pacific U.  Seattle, a team who we’ll have to beat at 
regionals to defend our title had finished 9 points ahead of the ‘Cats today so we’ll have our work cut out 
for us.  

Coach Gary Towne