It was another banner day for the Chico State cross country program, but these two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship banners may shine a little brighter and hang a little higher in the eyes of Head Coach Gary Towne, his current team, and the countless alumni on hand to witness the Wildcats' dominant performance at Hooker Oak Park Saturday.
The men's team won its 12th consecutive conference title in historic fashion, sweeping the first six spots for the first perfect score in CCAA men's cross
country history. The women's team won its sixth straight conference crown in convincing fashion as well on another gorgeous morning in the running temple that is Chico's beautiful Bidwell Park.
We really wanted to do something special in front of the home fans," said Towne. "It was extra special given that it was in front of all our great fans and alumni."
The painted faces and festive garb of alumni both young and old covered the course as chants of "Chiiiiico! Chiiiiico! Chiiiiico!" echoed off the levee that makes up much of the 1.15-mile loop layout.
Alumni like U.S. Olympic trails marathon hopeful Alia Gray, NCAA Pole Vault Champion Katrina Rodriguez and Ulises Tellechea - the man responsible for the formation of the now famous (or infamous for the Wildcats' opponents) "Chico! You know!" cheer – were a blur as they blazed from one spot to the next to cheer on the current 'Cats.
They responded with remarkable races.
The Chico State women, ranked No. 7 in the nation, set the tone with a dominant 29-77 victory over second-place Cal State Stanislaus, the 25th-ranked team in the land.
Ayla Granados and Sara Mikesell finished 1-2, and four more Wildcats earned All-Conference accolades. Jessica Varela finished sixth, Rebeka Bahra seventh, Haley Kroll 13th and McCall Habermehl 15th.
"It was an amazing experience to run in front of so many great alumni that went before us and made this program as special as it is today," said Mikesell, who finished 14th at the NCAA Championships last season. "I can't tell you how much today meant."
The picture (below) of Mikesell and Granados hugging after crossing the finish line says it all.
Granados is the program's fifth CCAA Champion and first since Gray in 2011. The senior from Castro Valley covered the six-kilometer course in 22:10.9
Chico State women's cross country CCAA Champions
Ayla Granados – 2013
Alia Gray – 2011
Kara Lubieniecki – 2010
Mary Torres – 2006
Jennifer James – 2004
Jill Symons – 1979
Jill Symons – 1978
"She ran a near-perfect race," said Towne. "She stayed patient until it was time to go. And when it was time to go, she took over."
Mikesell finished four seconds back in second place, one year after finishing fourth at the conference championships.
"Sara's always been such a rock," said Towne. "As always, she did her thing in the second half of the race."
Kroll and Habermehl also turned in notable performances. Kroll was getting ready for a routine workout Friday morning when she received a call from Towne that, because of an injury to Jordan Walsh, she would be in the Wildcats' lineup Saturday.
Habermehl was almost left off the Wildcats' roster last season as a true freshman.
Bailey Henshaw and Sadie Gastelum barely missed spots on the podium, finishing 17th and 18th, respectively. Freshman Jacqueline Adams came in 35th and Hayley Swanson finished 40th in the 100-runner field.
"I'm just really proud of the whole group," said Towne, who was named the CCAA's women's Coach of the Year and men's Coach of the Year. He's been named the CCAA's Coach of the Year 17 times. "They all did a great job getting out early and settling in for the second half of the race when the cream rises to the top."
The men's race was next, and the 5th-ranked Wildcats creamed the field, beating second-place Cal Poly Pomona 15-57. The Broncos are ranked No. 17 in the nation.
Aaron Thomas, Alfonso Cisneros, Johnny Sanchez and Isaac Chavez came around the final turn as one. They almost finished that way as well. Each one urged another to cross the line first for the individual title, eventually taken by Thomas. Phil Graber and Dayne Gradone followed close behind and all six finished with four seconds.
"First and foremost, we're brothers," said Gradone. "I think everyone got a glimpse of that today. That's probably the third time Isaac could have won the title but let a senior win it instead."
Chavez, a three-time NCAA Cross Country All-American and a senior himself, won the conference title last season.
The perfect score of 15 is an achievement the Wildcats have aimed for in the past, only to come up just short, twice finishing with 16 during this amazing run of success under Towne.
"The shot at perfection has always been out there for us," said Gradone, who earned his third straight All-Conference honor. "To do it here in Chico in fromt of the fans and alumni… it's like all the stars aligned."
Thomas, the 2012 CCAA Newcomer of the Year, earned CCAA Runner of the Year honors. He's the sixth different Wildcat in a row to win it and the 10th in 13 years.
Chico State men's cross country CCAA Champions
Aaron Thomas – 2013
Isaac Chavez – 2012
Adrian Sherrod – 2011
Brent Handa – 2010
Jimmy Elam – 2009
Scott Bauhs – 2008
Charlie Serrano – 2006
Patrick Boivin – 2005
Tyler Graff – 2003
David Braund – 2001
Freshman Aaron Mora finished ninth and was named the CCAA Newcomer of the Year. Geoff Hull and Geoffrey Bogan came in 14th and 15th, respectively, giving the Wildcats nine of the 15 All-CCAA awards. Alex McGuirk finished 26th out of 71 runners.
"To put together a day like that here in Chico in this amazing park and in front of these amazing supporters… It couldn't have gone better," said Towne. "It was a storybook showing. I wouldn't say a storybook finish though. We've still got more to do."
After an afternoon spent celebrating with the alumni in town from all across the United States, the Wildcats will set their sites on defending their NCAA West Regional titles on Nov. 9 in Spokane, Wash.
The top five teams will return to Spokane for the NCAA Championships Nov. 23. The Chico State men boast 14 consecutive top-10 NCAA Championships finishes and the women 11 in a row.
Check out the facebook photo gallery
HERE.
For more great video from flotrack.org,
CLICK HERE.
COMPLETE RACE RESULTS
