SACRAMENTO, CA -- Several years ago yours truly sat at his desk and opened an e mail that announced the sites and dates of future NCAA Championships and read the words "Sacramento, California" next to NCAA DII Cross Country 2019. I honestly had to re-read the announcement, and even as I hurriedly shared the information on social media there was some disbelief in the back of my mind. After 21 straight years of travelling all across our beautiful nation to attend and participate in the NCAA Championships, the races were FINALLY coming home to Northern California. Immediately the goal became to bring as many folks out to these championships as we could, while also encouraging a reunion of sorts. Of course there was also the goal of qualifying for, and sending out two capable squads to face the best the nation has to offer. I'm proud to announce that with much thanks to many of you, our goals became a reality on Saturday November 23rd.

Running in perfect conditions (60's-70 degrees and sunny) and in front of 500+ screaming Chico fans, this year's Wildcat men and women enjoyed 3rd and 7th place finishes in their respective championship races. Along the way alumni and supporters from the past 5 decades were able to re-unite, re-connect, and just have a great time supporting today's 'Cats. After 28 years of coaching within the Chico State program, this day stands out as my all-time favorite, and one that will never be forgotten.

Now back to the races.

Women's Championship 6k: The Chico women went into the NCAA meet this year a bit banged up. CCAA Champ Destiny Everett had been dealing with a hip issue since just after the conference meet, as had teammate and 2018 NCAA scorer Desirae Jones. 2 X NCAA scorer Haley Boynton had been dealing with a lower leg issue in the weeks leading up to NCAA's, and had only managed part of a workout between the regional and NCAA races. Thankfully teams are allowed to compete 7 runners, as we'd need all 7 on Saturday.

The women's race predictably went out VERY Fast from the front, as 7 International athletes towed the front of the race across the half-mile timing mat in a screaming fast 2:23 split! Chico's true frosh Destiny Everett was in 33rd position at the half-mile in 2:34. Only one other Wildcat was running in the top-100 at this point, as fellow frosh Gracie Dupuis crossed the initial checkpoint in 71st position at 2:37.

The mile split mat didn't offer much progress for the 'Cats as Everett had given up some places and now ran in 50th (5:25 split) and Dupuis would cross in 81st (5:29). The next Chico runner (Talia Swangler) would hit the mile in 104th at 5:32. One thing was certain, this race was out Fast and the 'Cats were on the ropes early, as team scores showed them 50+ points behind Alaska Anchorage and running in 8th position, just 3 points ahead of the 10th place team. Thankfully there were 2.7 miles of race remaining, and the Chico women would prove themselves up to the task of hammering the second half.

By mid-race the 'Cats had climbed up to 7th in the team scoring, and had a 12 point margin over their regional foes Alaska Anchorage who now ran in 8th. Everett still led the Chico women but was now in 64th position with her teammate/roommate Dupuis just 1 second and 4 places behind (yes, that's how close this race was throughout). Swangler had made her way up to 74th, while teammate Nora Pizzella was now running among the Top-100. Our all-important #5 was Taylor Bailey who ran in 120th.

The Chico women did some solid work over the final stages of the race, and leading the charge literally was senior Nora Pizzella who would work up to an eventual 60th place finish in a PR 21:16 clocking. Just 3 seconds later Dupuis would cross the finish in 64th place. Next across the final timing mat was Talia Swangler who would take 79th overall. Everett would struggle over the final kilometer, but never gave up, and would finish 84th in her first NCAA run (21:30). RS Sophomore Taylor Bailey would stop the 'Cats scoring with her 103rd place run (21:40) giving the 'Cats another miniscule :24 second 1-5 spread.

With the 7th place run, the Wildcat women have now finished among the Top-10 in 18 of the past 20 NCAA Championship races. Not a bad run, and certainly not a bad day on the NCAA stage for the 2019 squad. Women's Individual Results: http://www.cushmancc.com/chicorunning/CSUC/2019NCAAD2xc_Women.htm



Men's 10k Championship: Men's 10k: The Chico men went into the 2019 Championships ranked 2nd in the final coaches' poll but knowing that they had their hands full in just finishing on the podium. 2018 NCAA Runner's up Colorado School of the Mines had their best team ever (they won NCAA's in 2015), and RMAC rivals Adams and Western State each had very capable squads. Add defending NCAA Champs Grand Valley State, and a very strong International squad from Northwest Missouri State, and you had the makings of another stellar NCAA final.

The hope for the 'Cats was to run a similar race as we had at the regional final, where a :30ish second 1-5 gave the 'Cats an easy victory over the rest of the field. In looking at the field in advance yours' truly estimated Chico's leader Trad Berti could finish just inside the Top-15 with a regional-like performance, and then a :30-:40 second split between the remainder of the 'Cats would put the entire 7 between 15th-50th place (Based on past results). This would certainly have the 'Cats contending for at least 2nd place and pretty much guarantee a podium finish. Of course the most challenging part of projecting places, times and spreads is the reality that the NCAA platform is the most intense and challenging of the season, by far. The pace from the start is generally much faster than any other meet, and of course the depth of talent is superior to any other race during the regular season. With all things considered, I liked our chances of running a solid race on Saturday.

As the gun sounded the 'Cats sprung into action, and very quickly established themselves among the upper tier of the field. In fact at the half mile mark of the run Western State was winning the race with 95 points and the Chico crew ran in 2nd just 5 points behind. Eventual champs Mines was running in 3rd at the first split mat.

Yours truly sprinted (relatively speaking) to the mile mark to get a sense of the early pace and to see how the Wildcat men were placed among the field. As all 7 'Cats streamed by within just a few seconds, and all among the Top-57 it was obvious that we were engaged in the run, but the fact that our final runner crossed the mile mat in 4:37 was admittedly scary given the amount of race ahead. Even with the amazing start the 'Cats now sat in 3rd place overall behind Mines and Western, and just ahead of Adams State.

As the race progressed Trad Berti made great decisions at the front, not biting on the few Kenyans that split off the front, but sticking among the large chase pack that was still travelling at a very quick clip. The rest of the Chico pack looked great operating among the Top-60 in the 260+ runner field.

In reviewing the 5k splits the Chico men were in great positions and absolutely flying over the quick Haggin Oaks course. Sophomore Trad Berti led the way running in 7th place with a swift 14:36 split. Fellow Soph Jack Emanuel hit the half way point in 14:51 (technically a PR for Jack) in 27th place. Wyatt Baxter and Jhavahn Holston crossed in 34th and 35th places w/ 14:53 splits. Remington Breeze hit half-way in 15:00 in 40th, with Matt Herrera trailing just 1 second behind in 15:01. RS frosh Rory Abberton, appeared to have regrouped after hitting fatigue wall following the brisk opening mile, would hit the mat in 15:06 running in 55th position. The 'Cats were in 3rd place, but had all 7 ahead of every other teams' #5 except for race-leading Mines.

The next 2k of running would bring the biggest blow to the 'Cats chances of taking 2nd in the race, as usual #1 runner Trad Berti picked up a nasty side-stitch and dropped 50 places between 6k and 8k. During the same stretch, the remainder of the 'Cats scorers on the course managed to move forward, lessening the blow to our overall placing. Team scores with 2.4k remaining had the 'Cats sitting in 3rd, 19 points behind Adams State.

With approximately a half mile remaining the Wildcat men had rallied back and moved into 2nd position just 3 points ahead of Adams, but well behind Mines, who would go on to cruise to their 2nd NCAA title in 4 years. Unfortunately the final stretch of the race wouldn't be the greatest for the Chico crew as several of the 'Cats scorers gave up valuable places in the finishing straight, allowing Adams to sneak back into 2nd place by the finish.

As the results populated the scoreboard Junior Wyatt Baxter would lead the Chico crew with a 26th place effort (2nd All American run for Wyatt). Just behind Wyatt was Chico HS alum Jack Emanuel who would place 30th. Jhavahn Holston would become a 2 time All American with his 33rd place run, and teammate Rory Abberton (our alternate coming in) would take 42nd in 30:52. Trad Berti would hold on for 46th as the 'Cats fifth scorer, while Remington Breeze would become the 'Cats best 6th place finisher Ever at NCAA's with a 50th place run. In fact, Breeze would beat every other team's fifth scorer on the day, minus the championship Mines squad.

There's no doubt that the result was bitter-sweet, as the Chico crew has not yet beaten Adams at the NCAA meet, and had the Grizzlies on the ropes late in the run. Of course there was much more "sweet" in reflecting in Saturday's run. The Chico men had absolutely put themselves into the race, and fought so hard for every position. Their team finish ties the 'Cats all-time best, and a quick glance of the results shows that all competing Chico athletes have eligibility remaining. Lessons were learned, but overall there was SO much to be proud of, and thankful for.

The scene after the men's race was like something out of movie. Hundreds of Chico supporters circled the 7 Chico runners. Chico cheers and chants flew through the air, and a massive "Everyone Chico" photo was captured, all of which highlight the amazing culture and history that we enjoy here at CSUC. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came to support the teams on Saturday. It was an amazing day to be a Wildcat!

With the men's finish and with some time to gather the statistics here are some impressive numbers, for those who enjoy such data:

-Since 2000 both Chico Squads have qualified for the NCAA Championships together (20 straight years!)

-Since 2000 the men's and women's squads have finished among the Top-10 in 37 of the 40 NCAA Championships contested.

-Since 1999 the Chico men's team has qualified for each NCAA Championship and has placed among the Top-10 in 20 of the 21 races.

-Since 2002 the 'Cats have won 34 of the 36 CCAA Championship races.

-All 8 Wildcat men return (alternate included) for the 2020 XC season!

It's been an amazing ride, and Wildcat alum, fans, and supporters have much to celebrate and be thankful for. Thank you all!



Thanks to all for your support through what has been an awesome fall season. We look forward to the upcoming track season and of course to the 2019 NCAA XC Championships coming to Northern California. Mark your calendars! Happy Holidays!