Following last season and the graduation of a numer of standouts, Kayden Carpenter knew the Chico State cross country team needed her to take a big step forward in 2018. So instead of going home, Carpenter spent the summer training with teammates on the trails in and around Truckee. That training has paid off. The Wildcat of the Week has come a long way.
Carpenter's fifth-place finish at Saturday's Triton Classic in La Jolla was her highest yet as a collegiate and helped lead the Wildcats to the team title.
That effort was the latest in a long line of improvements for the junior from San Diego. She opened the season with a 22nd-place showing at the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento, crossing the finish line 20 seconds faster than she had on the same course one year before. And on Oct. 13, Carpenter clocked a new six-kilometer cross country personal record of 21:17.7 to finish 38th at the Santa Clara University Bronco Invitational.
Saturday, the El Capitan High School product and liberal studies major was the third CCAA athlete to cross the finish line, behind only teammate Alexandria Tucker and Cal State San Marcos' Lisa Flora. Those three will be among the favorites to win the California Collegiate Athletic Association title when the Wildcats attempt to win their 11th straight team crown at the CCAA Championships Nov. 3 in San Bernardino.
The Wildcats are currently ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the West Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
