NEW ORLEANS, La. – The culmination of a remarkable senior year for Chico State cross country runner Scott Bauhs came on Tuesday when he was named the 2008 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men's Division II Athlete of the Year.

A Danville, Calif. native, Bauhs became the first Chico State cross country athlete to win the individual national title after finishing ahead of the field at last week's NCAA Championships in Slippery Rock, Pa. His win helped the Wildcats to a third-place finish in the team standings, matching the school's highest finish ever at the Cross Country National Championships.

Bauhs won his first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) individual title on October 25th, and followed that up by out-distancing the field at the West Region Championships on November 8th.

The senior distance runner was one of four Chico State athletes to earn All-American honors. Joining Bauhs were teammates Angel Marquez, Beau Rogers and Michael Wickman.

On the women's side, three CCAA athletes earned All-American accolades. Cal State L.A. junior and CCAA Champion Vivien Wadeck, Chico State junior Tori Tyler and freshman Bre Schofield of UC San Diego were part of the 33-member team.