Chico State Athletics

Bob Darling was a key member of one of the most successful cross country teams in Chico State history. Recruited by Coach Larry Burleson after a standout career at City College of San Francisco, Darling immediately made an impact in 1969, finishing third at the Far Western Conference Championships and helping the Wildcats capture the team title.

He went on to place 14th at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Wheaton, Illinois, earning All-America honors as Chico State finished third nationally. Darling was one of the first three cross country All-Americans in program history and helped establish an early standard of national success for the Wildcats.

On the track, Darling set a Chico State record in the 6-mile run with a time of 29:22, the fourth-fastest NCAA Division II mark in the nation that season. He finished second at the Far Western Conference Championships and competed at the NCAA Division II Championships. His school record stood for 27 years.

After graduating in 1971, Darling qualified for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and later built a 50-year career in fitness, personal training and distance coaching.