After running the course preview on Friday with my Garmin I was certain of two things. 1. The course was a true 8k, and accurately marked for splits.. And 2. It was in amazing shape and both races would certainly go quite fast the next morning. Especially given the nice cloudy morning that we enjoyed on race day.
Men’s Cardinal Race:The Chico men’s team has enjoyed quite a bit of success through the years at the Willamette Invitational. Since 2002 the ‘Cats have raced the Salem, OR meet 7 times, and each has resulted in a team victory. To continue the winning streak this year the ‘Cats would have to upset #8 ranked (DI) University of Portland, which we knew would be a VERY tall order, bordering upon the impossible. Add a strong UC Riverside squad, and a Kenyan-heavy University of Alaska Anchorage team, and the ‘Cats would be challenged just to finish among the top 2-3 in the team battle.
From the start the Pilots controlled the early tempo of the race. Trevor Dunbar the reigning U.S. Jr XC Champ, led the charge, with teammates Joash Osoro, Alfred Kipchumba and Erik Lars Malde (Norwegian Jr. XC Champion) following closely. Joining the Pilots pack at the front of the race were UAA teammates Marko Chesetto (13:59 5k PR) and Micah Chelimo (8:49 steepler).
The ‘Cats top three Brent Handa, Isaac Chavez and Adrian Sherrod found themselves operating in a chase pack of sorts that contained Portland’s 5-6 runners as well as a few standouts from other squads. The rest of the ‘Cats were scattered throughout the front 1/3 of the field trying their best to find themselves as close to the front by the finish as possible. Perhaps the biggest efforts of the day came in the form of Dayne Gradone who a week earlier had lost his shoe during the melee that was the start of the Stanford invite. Running with BOTH shoes this week Gradone trailed our front trio by a few strides the entire run as he battled with Portland’s #7/8 runners among the top-20 overall.
The most improved athlete on our men’s squad is without a doubt Alan Campos. Only a 9:50ish 3200m runner in HS Campos has transformed himself into a big part of the ‘Cats equation. On Saturday Campos took another step forward, hammering through the tougher parts of the course and moving himself well into the talented field. Following Campos throughout were the ‘Cats two JC transfers Anthony Costales and Joseph Rivera. Costales never looked comfortable, but still gutted out a solid race. Rivera, who had his knee operated on in July continues to progress, with hints of the fitness and race savvy that carried him to a 4th place finish at the JC State Championships last fall starting to shine through.
As the race developed, the final team result was evident. Portland had too much firepower at the front of the field for the ‘Cats to handle. Although Alaska’s Kenyan star Marko Chesetto would claim the individual title over Dunbar and the Pilots, the Purple Pilot attack would claim the next 4 spots. Chelimo would take 6th for Anchorage, with Idaho’s top guy Barry Britt claiming 7th place. The ‘Cats trio of Handa, Chavez and Sherrod would claim 8th, 9th, and 10th (24:01, 24:02, 24:06!!) before the Pilots would end their scoring with 11th and 12th place finishes of their 5/6 runners. Dayne Gradone would record a huge Personal best with his 17th place 24:19 effort finishing just behind Portland’s Matt Frerker (a jr who ran 4:14/9:05 in HS). Alan Campos would complete the ‘Cats scoring with his 21’st place effort (24:28 PR). Insurance came in the form of Costales and Rivera who finished 26th and 29th in the field of 239 runners.
How deep is this men’s squad? Well, when considering the credentials of our #8,9, and 10 runners on Saturday a picture is painted of some quality depth. Joey Kochlacs who’s missed some training in recent weeks due to a foot injury has track Pr’s of 14:42 and 30:28. Manny Mejia (48th on Saturday) has run 3:50 for 1500m and is a two time All West Region XC runner, and Miles Dunbar who’s still working back into fitness after missed training due to a staph infection has run 3:55/14:51 and 9:09 for the 1500, 5k and steeple events on the oval. Given that we’re allowed to compete 10 at CCAA’s in early November, it could be interesting to see what this group can do!
YouTube Video Link of the Chico Men’s Cardinal Race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WopXYlCTsBc
Thanks Coach Wickman!
Women’s Cardinal Race:
The Chico State Women’s squad would have their hands full with two very strong teams on Saturday. The University of Idaho who are ranked among the Top-15 in the West region for DI, and the University of Alaska-Anchorage women (Defending DII West Region Champions) who are led by a pair of Kenyan standouts Meriam Kipng’eno and Ruth Keino. Regionally ranked UC Riverside, and Lipscomb U. (9th in DI South Region) also fielded solid teams.
As is usually the case, the early pace in the women’s 5k was extremely fast with leaders hitting the 1600m mark in the 5:20’s. Chico’s Kara Lubieniecki ran alone among the top 20 in the early-going, but a large grouping of ‘Cats worked well within the upper ¼ of the field. As the race progressed in the second mile Lubieniecki moved into the Top-10 overall running behind the University of Idaho’s lead pair Julia Veseth and Hannah Kiser. Shannon McVanell was running among the Top-15 by two miles, and Michelle S. Johnson followed fairly close behind with a mile to go. A large group of ‘Cats that included Shannon Rich, Katie Spencer, Jonah Weeks and Colleen Joyce hit 3200m well under 12:00 and looked pretty solid in doing so. The final mile wasn’t a thing of beauty, as a number of our top gals gave up a few spots over the final kilometer.. but the overall result was still impressive.
U of Idaho’s 5 scorers finished in the top 21 overall, which secured the win for the Vandals. UAA, buoyed by the 1st and 3rd place finishes of Kipng’eno and Keino held off the Chico crew by 16 points, despite the ‘Cats putting 6 across the line before Anchorage’s #4.
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