Chico State Athletics

During a summer of uncertainty for all collegiate student-athletes, Chico State men's golfer Christopher Colla was among the fortunate few who could still find opportunities to compete. The former all-conference selection took advantage of those opportunities, posting three impressive top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the 100th Wisconsin State Open, to earn Wildcat of the Week honors.
 
Colla carded a tournament-best 19 birdies and closed with an eagle on his 72nd hole to finish 4-under par and tied for 2nd behind only Harrison Ott of Vanderbilt University. Colla's second-round 64 was the low round of the tournament and came despite a triple-bogey on the second hole. He had five birdies on the front and four on the back. For the tournament, Colla shot 74-64-71-67.
 
That result was the latest in Colla's notable summer run. It started with a runner-up finish at the Wisconsin Public Links Association Ray Fisher Amateur Championship—one of the most prestigious amateur events in the Midwest—June 26–28. He shot 18-under par to finish in a three-way tie for second, just one shot out of the lead, in the 159-player field. His second-round 64 was the second lowest round of the tournament and started a stretch of tournament-best 20-under-par over the final three rounds.
 
Colla competed in the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship July 27–30 and placed tied for eighth in a field of 157.
 
A native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Colla was off to the best start of his collegiate career last fall as a senior. His stroke average of 73.67 was a career-low and ranked sixth in the CCAA. He racked up three top-10 finishes in six events, including his first collegiate win, at the Sierra Central Wildcat Classic at Butte Creek Country Club in Chico. In what was supposed to be his final collegiate home tournament, Colla took the lead midway through the opening round, and despite having a target on his back for the next two-plus rounds, won by three shots.
 
Then the season came to a halt. Colla and the Wildcats are hoping to have the opportunity to complete that last campaign this spring, but nothing is yet certain.
 
As a sophomore, Colla lowered his scoring average to 74.0 and won all three of his medal/match showdowns during the Wildcats' run to a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title and the top seed in the NCAA Regional. He earned All-CCAA honorable mention in the process.
 
As a junior, Colla competed in a career-high 11 events, carding 11 rounds of par or better, and a pair of top-10 finishes, while leading the Wildcats back the NCAA Championships.
 
Do you know a Wildcat who deserves to be considered for a Wildcat of the Week honor? We're looking for current student-athletes who are making you proud athletically, academically, and/or in the community. If you have an idea, please take a moment to let us know by completing this five-question survey.