For any athlete, it’s always exciting to return to the place he or she grew up and dazzle the hometown fans with a memorable performance. Chico State men’s cross country runner Aaron Thomas, a native of San Diego, took advantage of that very opportunity Saturday, placing fifth at the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships in La Jolla to help the Wildcats win their 11th consecutive conference crown. His outstanding run also makes Thomas the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Thomas completed the 8,000-meter UC San Diego North Course with a time of 25:47.7, joining Wildcat winner Isaac Chavez and fellow teammates Alfonso Cisneros, Adrian Sherrod and Dayne Gradone among the top 10 finishers. Thomas was not only one of nine Chico State runners to earn All-CCAA recognition, but the junior transfer was also named CCAA Newcomer of the Year.
Saturday was not the first time Thomas has demonstrated he can rise to the occasion in a championship cross country meet. Last season, running for San Diego Mesa Community College, he finished fifth in the state at the California Community College State Championships.
Thomas and the Chico State men’s cross country team will be competing Saturday, Nov. 3 in the NCAA West Regionals at the Kahuku Golf Course in O’ahu, Hawaii.
