Chico State distance runner Anthony Palermini knew he had what it takes to compete, and he did what he had to do both mentally and physically to get the chance. After being cut from the Wildcat men’s track & field team in 2011, Palermini worked and trained on his own for the past year, suitably impressing distance coach Gary Towne to add the senior to the 2013 roster. Palermini has made the most of his opportunity, and Saturday at Willamette University’s West Coast Invitational, the senior notched his first NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark, giving him a chance to compete for the national championship in the 1,500-meter run. Palermini is the runaway winner of Wildcat of the Week.
Palermini finished 10th in the 1,500 Saturday in Salem, Ore., stopping the clock with an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time of 3:50.21, beating his previous best in the event by over seven seconds. The run pushed Palermini inside the top 20 performers in the 1,500 in Division II this season.
His outstanding effort at the West Coast Invitational came on the heels of a very productive showing at the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Track & Field Championships. Palermini earned All-CCAA honors with a third place finish in the 800-meter run (1:55.51) while placing a solid fifth in the 1,500 (4:03.40).
Palermini hopes his performance at the West Coast Invitational is enough to earn one final challenge – the chance to compete for All-America honors May 23-25 at the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Pueblo, Colo.
