Connor Fisher spent most of his summer traveling in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, living out of a small backpack. The Chico State distance runner did not waiver from his challenging training regiment, however, and spent many hours on the dirt roads and trails of Central America.
So when the Wildcats opened the cross country season with a challenging track at the Humboldt Invitational at Patrick's Point State Park in Trinidad, Fisher had no problems with the narrow hiking trails, two-foot drop, and log jump that each runner faced.
In fact, he thrived. Fisher finished second overall in the first race of his junior season, to earn Wildcat of the Week honors on his birthday (Tuesday).
Fisher covered the challenging eight-kilometer course in 24:39.32, finishing behind only reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Runner of the Year and teammate Will Reyes, while helping lead the team to a perfect score.
In fact, the first 17 runners to cross the line had Chico State connections. Fourteen are current Wildcats, two are redshirts, and one is a recent graduate.
Fisher and the Wildcats will face a much stiffer test next time out at the Capital Cross Challenge hosted by Sacramento State at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on Oct. 1. The meet will serve as a preview for the Division I West Regional Championship and feature some of the top Division I programs in the West Region.
