Chico State men’s distance runner Daniel Hernandez officially made his presence known last fall, when he earned All-CCAA and All-West Region accolades in cross country. By all indications, the sophomore is on pace to also establish a presence in track & field. His skills were on full display at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, where Hernandez posted personal best times in both the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 1,500-meter run. His 2-for-2 PR performance in Southern California makes Hernandez the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Hernandez began the Bryan Clay Invitational Thursday running in the meet’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Competing against a heavy Division I field, Hernandez finished 14th in his heat and 109th overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the finish line with a time of 9:21.88—shaving nearly four seconds off his previous best time in the event.
Hernandez was back in action Saturday evening, toeing the line with a mixture of D-I, D-II, and junior college athletes—197 runners in all—in the Bryan Clay Invitational’s 1,500-meter Open B competition. In his first 1,500 run of the season, Hernandez finished 11th in his heat and 105th overall with a personal best time of 3:56.08.
Hernandez has now collected three PRs during the 2023 track & field season. Back on March 31 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic, he turned in a personal best time in the 5,000-meter run, stopping the clock at 14:41.21.
Hernandez and the Chico State men’s track & field team will be in action this weekend, as the Wildcats host the Chico Invitational at University Stadium.
