SPOKANE, Wash. – The Chico State men’s cross country team is hoping its 13th straight trip to the NCAA Championships is full of good fortune. The Wildcats, ranked No. 6 in the nation heading into the race, certainly won’t turn down any luck that falls their way as they fight for their sixth podium finish in the last nine years against a stacked field. The Wildcats have never finished lower than ninth during that time.
The four fastest teams over the 10-kilometer course at the Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane, Wash., will bring home the coveted hardware – big, beautiful wood and bronze trophies desired by all but awarded to few of the 32 participating teams. The top 40 individuals will received All-America recognition.
Streaming coverage of the race, which begins at noon, will be available at NCAA.com for free. Links to the actual webcast will likely be posted on NCAA.com a few hours before start time.
Viewers will see a snow-covered course without having to brave the chilly temperatures. The forecast calls for a low of 10 degrees and high of just 24.
Chico State Head Cross Country Coach Gary Towne has already created plenty of luck for the Wildcats by recruiting and leading some of the top young distance runners in the nation. Sophomore Isaac Chavez, who finished fifth as a freshman at last season’s NCAA Championships, is the field’s top returning finisher. He leads a strong Chico State seven that helped the team take 10 of the first 11 slots during its dominating California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship run and seven of the first 17 at the NCAA Championship West Regional two weeks ago.
The Wildcats’ West Regional run ended in disappointment, however, when they were nipped at the line by Alaska Anchorage for the title, 37-39.
That race will certainly provide some motivation Saturday as the Wildcats look to exact some revenge and bring home some hardware.
Athlete bios are below, followed by a brief overall race preview and Chico State’s history at the NCAA Championships.
Isaac Chavez – So. – Barstow
• 2011 XC All-Region (Finished 2nd)
• 2011 XC All-CCAA (Finished 2nd)
• 2010 XC All-American (Finished 5th)
• 2010 XC All-West Region (Finished 4th)
• 2010 XC All-CCAA (Finished 2nd)
• 2010 XC CCAA Newcomer of the Year
• 2011 T&F All-American (Finished 3rd in the 10K)
• 2011 T&F All-West Region (5K and 10K)
• 2011 T&F All-CCAA (Finished 3rd in the 5K)
Anthony Costales – Sr. – Fairfield
• 2011 XC All-West Region (Finished 17th)
• 2010 XC All-West Region (Finished 12th)
• 2010 XC All-CCAA (Finished 3rd)
• Finished 90th at the 2010 NCAA Championships
• 2011 T&F All-West Region (5K)
• 2011 T&F All-CCAA (CCAA 5K Champion)
Dayne Gradone – So. – Santa Cruz
• 2011 XC All-West Region (Finished 14th)
• 2011 XC All-CCAA (Finished 6th)
Joey Kochlacs – Sr. – Moraga
• 2011 XC All-West Region (Finished 12th)
• 2011 XC All-CCAA (Finished 10th)
• Placed 44th at 2010 NCAA Championships
• Placed 60th at 2009 NCAA Championships
• 2010 XC All-West Region (Finished 11th)
• 2010 XC All-CCAA (Finished 4th)
• 2011 T&F All-CCAA (Finished 2nd in the 10K)
• 2009 XC All-CCAA (Finished 12th)
• 2010 T&F All-CCAA (Finished 2nd in the 10K)
Joseph Rivera – Sr. – Tulare
• 2011 XC All-West Region (Finished 10th)
• 2011 XC All-CCAA (Finished 4th)
• Finished among top 14 in every race but one
Johnny Sanchez – Fr. – Fresno
• 2011 XC All-Region (Finished 6th)
• 2011 XC All-CCAA (Finished 3rd)
• 2011 XC CCAA Newcomer of the Year
• Second or third Wildcat to cross the line in each race this season
• Sixth in the 10K at the 2010 USATF Junior Championships with a 31:18 effort
Adrian Sherrod – Jr. – Spring Valley
• 2011 XC All-West Region (Finished 9th)
• 2011 XC CCAA Champion
• Finished 14th at the Stanford Invitational
• Finished 70th at the 2010 NCAA Championships
• 2010 T&F All-West Region (10K)
• 2009 XC All-CCAA (Finished 15th)
Race Overview
Adams State is the nation’s top-ranked team and seeking its fourth straight NCAA title. Western State, Grand Valley State and Colorado Mines are ranked second, third and fourth. Alaska Anchorage is fifth, just ahead of the Wildcats. Augustana and Eastern New Mexico round out the top eight.
Chavez is among the favorites for the individual title, though that would be quite an accomplishment for the sophomore. Sixth-year Adams State senior Nathan Sellers and teammates Mat Bond and Tabor Stevens are also threats. Colorado Mines junior Sean Gildea, Alaska Anchorage’s Micah Chelimo and Northwest Nazarene’s Barak Watson are also title contendors.
Chico State’s NCAA Championship Finishes
2010: 5th
2009: 8th
2008: 3rd
2007: 6th
2006: 4th
2005: 3rd
2004: 4th
2003: 4th
2002: 5th
2001: 9th
2000: 8th
1999: 6th
1995: 10th
1973: 6th
1972: 15th
1969: 3rd
