Traditionally the first weekend of April is earmarked as a big opportunity for our distance crew. With the Stanford and Mike Fanelli invites on the schedule, combined with fitness, and some low-key competitions in the previous weeks, the crew is usually ready to pop some big Pr's and solid performances. This year was no different, as the majority of those who competed achieved lifetime bests. Topping the list was Iresh Molina's 33:38 10k school record performance run at Friday night's Stanford invitational. Speaking of the Stanford 10k, the 'Cats were 3/3 for the 25 lapper in Palo Alto, as Iresh's sister Della raced to the number 3 time in CSUC history (34:06), and Megan Malloy followed with the #5 time (34:34). I'll do my best to highlight the weekend performances while trying not to create a novel. As I usually do for these big meet weekends I'll provide a quick at-a-glance look at our performances per event before diving into a few of the details surrounding the various races.
Men's 800m: Brett Ephraim (Fr) 1:53.32 (PR) Aaron Feaster (fr) 1:54.50 (red shirting) Alex Lamoureux (So) 1:55.37 (PR) Jacob Camacho (Fr) 1:55.76 Andrew Baxter (Fr) 1:58.87 (SB) Adrian Valdez (Jr) 1:59.54 (SB) Men's 1500: Alex Lamoureux (So) 3:50.40 (PR) Brett Ephraim (Fr) 3:54.20 (SB) Michael Torres (So) 3:57.50 3k Steeple: Adrian Hippolito (So) 9:07.6 (SB) Anders Beil (Sr) 9:13.6 (PR) Joseph DePascale (Jr) 9:18.8 (PR) 5,000m: Mario Giannini (Jr) 14:05.3 (PR, #5 AT CSUC) Matthew Gordon (Jr) 14:23.9 (PR) 10,000m: Jesus Villarreal (Sr) 29:55 (PR, #1 CCAA) Sean Alliegro (So) 30:06.9 (PR, #2 CCAA) Sergio Cuartas III (So) 30:26.1 (Debut) Andrew Stevens (So) 32:33 DMR: 12- Alex Lamoureux 3:09.2, Andrew Baxter-51.4, Jacob Camacho- 1:56, Mario Giannini- 4:09 (10:06) Women's Distances: 800m: Kaya Scuba (So) 2:15.8 (SB) 1500m: Sienna Bianchi (Jr) 4:28.8 (PR, NCAA Provisional) Kaya Scuba (So) 4:35.1 (SB) Catherine McGuire (Jr) 4:39.2 Madison Decker (Jr) 4:47.3 Steeple: Olivia Bechorner (So) 10:42.2 (PR, NCAA Provisional, #6 AT CSUC) Zoe Aitken (So) 11:09.0 (misses PR by less than 1 second) Katelyn Espino (Fr) 11:32.2 (PR) 5,000m: Paulina Martins (Fr) 16:41 (PR, #1 CCAA, NCAA Provisional, Frosh Record) Kira Forsberg (Fr) 16:52 (PR, #2 CCAA, NCAA Provisional) Isabel Rosales (Fr) 17:12 (PR) Jasmine Fletcher (Jr) 17:14 (PR) Grace Reed (So) 18:01 (PR) 10,000m: Iresh Molina (Jr) 33:38.07 (PR, School Record, NCAA #3, #22 AT DII, #3 AT CCAA) Della Molina (Jr) 34:06 (PR, #3 AT CSUC, #2 CCAA) Megan Malloy (Jr) 34:34 (PR, NCAA Provisional, 2:23 PR!!!) April Anguiano (Tr Fr) 36:57 (PR, Debut, #5 CCAA) Roxana Diaz (So) 37:54 (PR, Debut) Jimena Rivera (Fr) 40:13 (PR, Debut) DMR: 1st Place: 12:00.20 1200-C. McGuire- 3:37.0, 400-S. Garcia-61.1, 800-O. Beschorner-2:19, 1600-S. Bianchi-5:02 2nd Place: 12:07.88 1200-P. Martins-3:36.9, 400-K. Scuba-63.5, 800-K. Espino-2:26, 1600-K. Forsberg-5:00 6th place: 12:24.30 1200-J. Fletcher-3:47, 400-K. Cook-67, 800-Zoe Aitken-2:22, 1600-I. Rosales-5:06
Stanford Invitational - Friday night:
Women's 10k:
A year ago Iresh and Della ran in this same heat of the Stanford Invite, and the pair recorded 34:0's PR's, securing their spots on the line for the NCAA championships, where they would each finish first team All American. Since then Della has missed most of the summer and the entire fall training blocks due to a hip issue. Thankfully she's back to full health, but fitness is still building. Of course Iresh has been able to take steps forward with her consistent training, so Hannah Dorman's 33:54 school record stood as a partial goal in entering this year's Stanford race. Joining the twins was teammate Megan Malloy who's taken massive steps forward since last track season, when she finished her campaign with a 36:57 (PR).
Iresh didn't enjoy the greatest start on this night, as her 85 second first revolution put her at the tail end of a 30+ runner field. Thankfully she would engage along the way and covered the moves needed to keep her a part of the main lead group. Considering her missed training, Della started relatively aggressively, following her sister through the field for much of the first half. Megan decided not to contest the pace of the main group, and ended up operating for much of the race in a small chase pack.
Iresh would hit 5k in 16:47 with sister Della just :02 back in 16:49 (tying her 5k time from 2 weeks previous). Megan rolled through the haf-way point in 17:17 (34:34 pace). Iresh kept pace with the shrinking lead group for the entire second half of the race. With 2k remaining as things began to split Iresh covered some moves and closed well with a 74 second final lap, crossing the line in 33:38. Della spent most of the second half working with a Montana State athlete, which helped her hold on well enough to grab a PR and NCAA mark. Megan ran an incredible second half, doing most of the leading in her chase group and still managing to dispatch them with a 74 second close. Megan's 17:17/17:17 5k/5k splits were incredible on their own.. but considering her 5k PR coming into this track season was 17:39, this was even more impressive.
Iresh's new PR places her #3 on the NCAA yearly list, and #22 AT CSUC. She is also #3 A.T. on the CCAA list, ranking behind two former Cal Poly SLO athletes from the 1990's.
Friday Fanelli Highlights:
Women's 5000m:
True frosh Paulina Martins is quite a story in the making. The Orland HS alumna cruised through 1600 in 5:24, and 3200 in 10:46 (5:22 split) before really turning on the jets with a sub 5:20 final 1600, racing home 10th overall with a 16:41 finish time. Paulina lowers her own true frosh 5k record while also becoming the CCAA leader.
Not to be outdone in the PR department, teammate Kira Forsberg stepped to the line in Heat 2 and hammered out a massive PR of her own. Two weeks ago Kira lowered her 5k PB from 17:55 to 16:59. Today she would slice another 7 seconds off her PB, while making her the fastest #5 5k runner in DII with her 16:52. Kira also dipped under the NCAA provisional threshold (16:53) giving the 'Cats 5 women on the national list! It should be noted that this is just Kira's SECOND track season ever, as she played softball each spring of her HS career and ran track for the first time last spring while red shirting.
Isabel Rosales (RS Frosh) and Jasmine Fletcher (Jr) worked together throughout their 5k heat on Friday morning, hovering in the low 80 second range per lap. Isabel would find the tape first with her 17:12 PB, while Jasmine worked extremely hard to finally get under her 17:15 PR set two years ago at season's end. I'd have to think that Jasmine is the NCAA's (DII) fastest #7 5k'r on the season to date.
Another impressive performance was recorded by sophomore Grace Reed who has struggled mightily the past two years to gather consistent momentum. Grace barely missed cracking the 18 minute barrier on Friday with her 18:01 PR. A year ago Grace ran 19:12 at this same meet!
Men's 5000m:
Since his arrival at CSUC Mario Giannini has shown signs of massive potential, but unfortunately consistency has been difficult to come by, due to sickness and injury. This spring we've managed to string together a solid block of training, and it's starting to show itself with results. The Chico native operated among the top group in the fast heat throughout and held strong through the toughest portions of the race. A low 60 second close would give Mario a 5th place finish and 14:05 PR. Mario's new PB makes him the 5th fastest Wildcat in school history, bumping former HS teammate Jack Emanuel from the list.
Matthew Gordon has been snake-bit nearly each track season since his arrival at CSUC. Last track season was ended early due to a complex hernia repair. The missed training seemed to cut into his XC performances this fall as well. Very recently we've started seeing signs of life with the junior from Reno, NV. Matt requested to be placed in the fastest heat of the meet in SF and went out determined to run a substantial PR (his PB was 14:43 going into the run). It wasn't easy but Matthew's determination won the day as he crossed the line with a 14:23 PR.
Men's 10k:
Jesus Villarreal (30:22 PR), Sean Alliegro (31:38 PB), and Sergio Cuartas (debut) would toe the line in the fastest 10k heat of the Fanelli meet. The trio looked absolutely awesome cruising through intermediate splits of 4:44, 9:29, 14:17 (14:52-5k). Despite rolling through the 5k split under his PR coming into the season (for 5k) Sean Alliegro led a good number of laps between 3200 and 7k.. Between 7-8k Sergio began to fall from the lead group (we would find out later that he was dealing with Bicarb stomach issues). Jesus and Sean reached 8k in 23:55 (5 seconds under 30:00 pace. The early leading may have taken it's toll on Alliegro as he fell from the splintering lead group. Thankfully Jesus was able to maintain his composure and kept within reach of the splits needed to break 30:00.
A strong close gave Jesus a 3rd place finish and his first sub 30 minute run. Sean struggled mightily over the final kilometer but held on to a 30:06 PR. Sergio's final few laps were very affected by his stomach issues, and he would cross the finish in 30:26. Overall, a solid outing for the Chico guys. The trio now rank among the top 4 in the CCAA to date.
Women's 10k:
True frosh April Anguiano was fortunate to have a DI NCAA qualifying 10k runner as her coach in HS, and her background before her arrival to Chico this year has helped to pave the way to a seamless transition from River Valley HS (Yuba City) to a very solid first year at CSUC. On Friday April enjoyed a very impressive 36:57 maiden voyage in the 25 lapper, which is a time that should make her quite competitive in the CCAA field if she should crack the 'Cats championship lineup next month.
In the second heat of the 10k, sophomore Roxana Diaz also enjoyed a very impressive first crack at the 25 lap distance, finishing just under 38 minutes (37:54). Roxana's PB is a time that usually scores points at the conference championships.
Men's Steeple:
Sophomore Adrian Hippolito went into the weekend with a steeple PB of 9:07, dating back to last season. The Madera native was determined to give the 9 minute barrier a run, and for 6+ laps the time was certainly in play as Adrian looked well over barriers and water jumps. At the bell Adrian needed a 67-68 second final lap to reach his goal. Unfortunately his legs didn't respond as he'd hoped, and he struggled in with a 74 final lap. Adrian's 9:07 time nearly matched his PR and still leads the CCAA, so there's a lot to be grateful for as we look ahead.
Heat 2 featured the 'Cats other two barrier runners, Anders Beil and Joseph DePascale. Both would run superb efforts while lowering Pr's to 9:13 and 9:18. For DePascale this was his first time under 9:30. Beil challenged for the win over the final lap, but would settle for second and a new PR.
Women's Steeple:
Olivia Bechorner was a surprise winner of the CCAA meet last spring, but hasn't REALLY punched through with a big steeple since. That is until Friday in San Francisco. Ranked around 10th in the fastest heat going into the run Olivia set her sights on keeping herself in the lead group, while biding her time to become truly competitive over the second half. Running at mid-day with higher than usual temps, Olivia's strategy to save her aggressiveness for the second half paid off in spades. Over the final several laps Olivia gradually made her way toward the front of the lead pack, and with a lap remaining she took the lead for good, increasing her cadence with each powerful stride. A great water jumper Olivia flew through the final barriers and hit the tape in a 10:42 PB. Olivia's time moves her into Chico's stout Top-10 list (that's chock full of All Americans) at #6. She's also ranked 7th on the newest NCAA list and #2 in the CCAA.
Zoe Aitken narrowly missed her Pr (by 1 second) at the Fanelli meet. After the weekend she sits #4 on the CCAA rank order list. Teammate Katelyn Espino lopped nearly 10 seconds from her PR with an 11:32 finish at Fanelli. Espino currently sits just outside the Top-10 on the CCAA list.
Women's 1500m:
Sienna Bianchi just squeaked under the 4:30 threshold for the 15 at last season's last chance meet. This fall Bianchi enjoyed an incredible XC campaign, earning All CCAA and West Region honors. Despite the added aerobic strength, her early season racing left her feeling as though she wasn't where she'd hoped to be. After a Tuesday workout that saw Sienna finish the session with a 2:22 800m, confidence grew and the weekend's 15 opportunity became just that. an opportunity to test herself.
From the gun Sienna inserted herself on the tail end of a 5-6 woman pack that was sailing through the early laps. Sienna hit 400 at 69, and 800 in 2:20. The lead pack began to draw away from the tiring Bianchi in the third lap, but she still managed a 72 second revolution. The final 300m was really painful, but Sienna held on well enough to record a 4:28.8 PR. Her new PB ranked her 9th of the 172 1500m racers on the day, and moves her to #6 on the CSUC All Time list. She's also ranked #2 in the CCAA. Sophomore Kaya Scuba dipped under 4:40 for the first time this season with her 4:35 seasonal best.
Men's 1500m:
Alex Lamoureux came to Chico as a decorated miler out of College Park HS. In his first few years we've seen signs of progress and potential, but results have been relatively mixed. This season Alex seems to be turning the corner, aligning fitness with confidence. On Friday Alex took a big step forward rolling through splits in the low 60 range and closing well. His 3:50 finish time was a 5 second PB and placed him 15th of the 200+ 1500 runners on the day.
Brett Ephraim dipped under the 4 minute threshold for the first time on the season with a 3:54.2 heat win and seasonal best. The RS frosh looks better and better with each passing week.
Saturday Mike Fanelli:
Women's 800m:
Sienna Bianchi recorded another PB on Saturday, lowering her 2 lap threshold to 2:14. Teammate Sidney Garcia felt a bit TOO good in the first lap of her heat, zipping through 400m in a very swift 62 seconds, (leading the field). The final 200m was a tough one for the gritty SD Mesa alumna, but she would hold on for a 2:14 seasonal best. With a bit of self-control over the first lap Sidney appears to be in 2:12 shape at least! Kaya Scuba took a nice step forward on this day as well, recording a 2:15 seasonal best. This trio keeps slicing time off with each passing meet.
Men's 800m:
Brent Ephraim would bounce back from a 3:54 1500 seasonal best with a near-PR 1:53.2 800m on Saturday. True frosh Aaron Feaster had a rough outing over 1500 on Friday but used the disappointment to fuel a big 3 second 1:54 PR in the two lapper.
Women's 800m:
Kaya Scuba doubled back from a seasonal best 4:35 in the 1500 with a 2:15 seasonal best in the 800 as well. Most other mid d gals saved their legs for the upcoming DMR's later in the day.
Men's DMR:
On paper the guys A team in the DMR was supposed to be bookended with All Americans Mario Giannini and Damian Garcia. Then came Damian's hamstring issue that took him out of the weekend competitions. By race-time the team had been shifted around several times, and Giannini would anchor the guys a day after his 14:05 PR run. Alex Lamoureux would run a tactical 3:09 split racing head to head with former College Park teammate Sebastian Fauvel (Humboldt St) giving the 'Cats a small advantage over their intra-conference rivals. Humboldt's 400m leg would overhaul Chico's Andrew Baxter, and Jacob Camacho probably ran to a draw vs his Humboldt foe on the 800m leg (1:56). Mario took the handoff several seconds behind his competition from Humboldt and methodically went to work on catching his prey. By 800m Mario had caught and passed Humboldt's Nicholas Woolery (who earlier in the season showboated down the stretch in his B-heat 800m victory at the Wildcat Invite).. Regardless, Woolery stood little chance against Giannini who closed near 60 seconds for the final lap while securing another DMR win for the 'Cats (4:09 split).
Women's DMR:
The women's DMR was another fun one for the 'Cats. With Humboldt fielding a team that included their 800m runner (who'd just run a 2:04 earlier in the day), I talked to our early legs about keeping the pace honest, to give the Humboldt runner a big gap to work with. With the depth that we have currently on the women's side it was Awesome watching Catherine McGuire and Paulina Martins hammering from the front, putting distance between themselves and their nearest pursuers from East Bay, Monterey and UC Davis. Paulina would hand off just a fraction of a second ahead of Mcguire (3:36/3:37) but it didn't take long for Sidney Garcia to reel in and pass teammate Kaya Scuba (who was running in trainers due to a balky achilles). From here on the A team would sail home to victory with Olivia Beschorner running a 2:19 split, and Sienna Bianchi bringing it home in 5:02. The real race became that of our B squad and East Bay's A team. East Bay had moved into second during the 800 leg and Kira Forsberg had some work to do to catch her CCAA rival. Forsberg battled back and forth with Angelique Martinez in the middle laps of the 1600 before Forsberg's 5k strength prevailed, giving the 'Cats a 1-2 finish. Kira's 5:00 split was the fastest of the day (a day after running a 16:52 PR!). The C squad also had a solid outing with Isabel Rosales anchoring a 6th place finish, just 2 seconds behind UC Davis. Rosales' 5:06 split was much faster than anything she'd run in HS. Overall this was another great DMR run for the Wildcat women, who've won the Fanelli distance medley most years that it's been offered.
Next Up: The 'Cats host the Chico Invitational on Friday/Saturday April 10th-11th. Notable Events: There will be an Invite Mile on Friday evening at 8:00pm where Junior Damian Garcia will attempt to break the 4 minute barrier on our home. track.
