Chico State men’s cross country runner Dayne Gradone had already laid the groundwork for a spectacular finish to his 2011 season. The sophomore from Santa Cruz has notched five top 15 finishes and a pair of top 10’s leading up to Saturday’s NCAA Cross Country Championship at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane, Wash. Gradone saved one of his best performances for last, earning All-American honors and helping the Wildcats finish the year as the No. 4 ranked team in the nation. His outstanding run has also netted Gradone Wildcat of the Week honors.
Gradone turned in a time of 31:59.0 in Saturday’s 10-kilometer race, finishing in 35th place overall, and was one of four Wildcat runners to turn in an All-America performance. Chico State Head Coach Gary Towne saw it as Gradone’s best effort of the year.
“Dayne didn’t have a great regional race and has never really finished a season off well dating back to high school,” said Towne. “Honestly, in the back of my mind, it was a real concern. But he really stepped to the plate and did a good job of executing and battling. He was so emotional at the end. It was really cool to watch a guy break through some of his personal demons.”
Thanks to the work of Gradone and teammates Isaac Chavez (who finished third), Adrian Sherrod (19th) and Johnny Sanchez (34th), Chico State posted the lowest team point total (110) in school history, and cemented the men’s cross country program’s 13th consecutive national top 10 ranking.
