Seawolves upset Wildcat men at Western Regionals Wildcat women also second to Alaska Anchorage as both Chico teams qualify for Nationals

By Gary Towne, Chico State head coach Saturday, November 20, 2010

Brent Handa approaching 6k on the heels of Alaska’s Chesseto and just in front Jordan Welling and Bennett Grimes.

BELLINGHAM, WA -- For the 11th straight year the Chico State men’s and women’s cross country teams have qualified for the NCAA Championships together. Both teams finished second in this weekend’s NCAA West Regional races, each finishing behind stout Alaska Anchorage squads. Although the weather didn’t play much of a role in the outcome on Saturday, conditions were cold (mid 20s) with 3 inches of fresh snow on the ground. Out of the 14 competing athletes that the ‘Cats sent to the line, 9 finished among the Top-15 in their respective races, thus earning All West Region honors. Shannon Rich just missed out on such distinction, finishing 16th overall respectively. Although both squads had hopes of winning, we can’t be disappointed with the races on Saturday. Both Alaska teams are quite formidable (as noted in last week’s regional preview) and of course we still have another race to run. Below are re-caps of each race. Michael Wickman’s Video Footage of the West Regional Races: Men’s 10k Championship: The Lake Padden course is a tricky one when it comes to footwear. 75 percent of the 2.5 mile loop around the lake takes place on hard packed rocky footing that isn’t well suited for spikes. The other 25

percent of the course is a grassy stretch near the start/finish area, that becomes in essence a mud-bog of sorts as athletes repeat loops in this area. Saturday’s race was made a bit more tricky due to the fresh three inches of snow that fell during the evening before the race. Thankfully the hard packed path that circles the lake didn’t turn icy and the footing remained reasonable and fair. The grassy stretches were covered with about 3-4 inches of the white stuff, which in essence replaced the usual muddy conditions, and of course created an even more beautiful setting than the scenic Lake Padden already is.

Isaac Chavez (#42) battling Alaska’s #2 Micah Chelimo (#1) at mid race.

The men’s race went out as most expected. Alaska’s Marko Chesetto who bosts a 13:58 5k PR, bolted to an early lead, before settling with the pack. The Chico guys got out to a wonderful first kilometer start, with each running within the top-15-20 overall. As the guys set sail for the first of 2 loops around the lake, we appeared to be well on our way to a ninth straight regional title. As the athletes came back to view approaching the 5k mark, a lead pack had formed with most of the top contenders included. Chesetto, WWU’s pair of All Americans (Jordan Welling and Bennett Grimes) and Chico’s Brent Handa. Following not far behind this group was Chico’s RS Frosh Isaac Chavez, with UAA’s Micah Chelimo just off his shoulder. Running several seconds back and looking strong were Chico’s 3-4 guys Joey Kochlacs and Anthony Costales each of whom were running in the top 10-12 overall, and ahead of UAA’s #3 man. The first sign of trouble for the ‘Cats came in the sighting of Alaska’s 3,4,5,6 guys all running well ahead of the ‘Cats 5-7 guys at the 5k mark. If we were to win the regional title we’d need to run a very good second lap and someone from our second group would need to move up and into Alaska’s pack.

Alaska’s Chesetto was the first to come to view after completing the second lake circuit. His lead was solid and he would cruise to his second straight regional win. Hometown All American Jordan Welling (14th at ’09 NCAA’s) looked solid in finishing second. Teammate Bennett Grimes (Younger son of Humboldt great Danny Grimes) held strong for third. Finishing only 5 seconds behind was Chico’s Isaac Chavez who had caught and passed Handa in the final mile. Handa held on strong for 5th place and Chelimo (AK’s #2) finished 6th. UAA’s Jake Parisien crossed next, giving the Seawolves the advantage in team scoring. Joey Kochlacs and Anthony Costales held on tight for 11th and 12th place finishes, making the ‘Cats the first team to put 4 across the line.

Alaska’s #4 (William Ritekwiang) hit the tape 15th overall and now it was a matter of who’s #5 could find the finish first. Alaska won this battle, and the eventual team scoring fight by placing #5 and 6 runners Paul Rotich and Yonatan Yilma across the finish before Chico’s Manny Mejia reached the line. It was a hard fought race, but the Wildcat men did all that they could on this day, and only lost by 5 points to the Alaskan squad. By virtue of their Top-15 finishes Isaac Chavez, Brent Handa, Joey Kochlacs and Anthony Costales each earned All West Region honors. For Chavez, Kochlacs and Costales this was their first such distinction. Women’s 6k: The Chico State women would have their hands full with an Alaska Anchorage squad that returned 6 of the 7 members of the ’09 group that won the regional title. Still the Lady-Cats hit the course with the intent of making things as interesting as possible up front. A quick start that saw all 7 ‘Cats running among the top 25 by the kilometer mark was what was needed on this course. The ladies locked in and competed hard as they circled the lake loop. As athletes started to appear from the lone loop around Lake Padden NCAA runner-up (’09) Sarah Porter had a very comfortable lead. Running in positions 2,3,4 overall were Alaska’s Ruth Keino, Meriam Kipng’eno, and Shoshana Keegan. Jaclyn Puga of NW Nazarene appeared next, and 17:10 5k gal Lauren Breihof (WWU) came next. Just as Chico fans started to worry that the lake loop might have buried our team’s chances, Kara Lubieniecki appeared, running with CCAA runner-up Tiffany Dinh (Pomona). Jonah Weeks followed closely enjoying another breakthrough performance. Now it seemed that every other runner for the next 10 or so places was wearing the Wildcat uniform.. which gave the Chico coaches and fans hope that they might have a shot at pulling off the team upset. The women held strong to the finish, winning a few sprint finishes. Despite having 6 finish among the top 16 overall (and ahead of UAA’s #5) Alaska’s low sticks up front proved to be the difference on this day. Still the Chico State women had plenty to be happy with. The entire Top-5 had finished as All Region performers and All seven had placed among the top 21 overall, which might be our best #7 finish for the women I the history of this meet. A very nice performance from top to bottom for the ‘Cats!

JThe women’s race at 200m with Alaska’s star Miriam Kipng’eno leading the charge. Chico’s Kara Lubieniecki is following close, as is Shannon McVannel. Eventual race winner Sarah Porter can be seen on the far right with the white hat.

Stephanie Consiglio shown here with 550m remaining. Teammate Colleen Joyce is also in view. Both earned their first All Region honors.

Next Up: NCAA Championships 2010 Louisville, KY, Dec. 4 Tom Sawyer Park. The ‘Cats will fly out of Sacramento on Wednesday morning Dec. 1, to participate as a part of the DII NCAA Fall Championship Festival. The festival will host the NCAA Final 4 for Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Field Hockey.. And of course the NCAA XC Championship races. Men will run at 11:00am Louisville time, Women follow at Noon. Stay tuned for more info on the upcoming NCAA races.

The Chico Men’s team showing the disappointment of a second place finish.

The NCAA West Region runner-ups, Wildcat women post-race after placing 6 runners in the top 16, and 7 in the top 21 in the field of 150+ runners.