WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Chico State high jumper Ryan Bertucci has been named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Track & Field Male Athlete of the Week for the week of April 19-25, it was announced on Monday.

Bertucci improved his NCAA provisional mark by placing first in the high jump with a personal-best leap of 7-feet-0 at the annual Cal-Oregon Border Battle, held this year at Humboldt State’s Redwood Bowl in Arcata. Bertucci’s effort is the second best in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) this year and sixth best in the nation.

Bertucci’s mark also tied the third best high jump mark in Chico State history. The senior from Gardnerville, Nev., bettered his is previous career-best of 6-feet-10 3/4 accomplished in his fourth-place finish at last year’s National Championships. 

Surprisingly, Bertucci is the first Chico State athlete to earn the award this season despite the program's four NCAA Automatic qualifying efforts and 17 provisional qualifying marks.

CCAA Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week
Feb. 22-28: Kasey Burlingham (Cal State Stanislaus); Mar. 1-7: Josh Como (Cal State L.A.); Mar. 8-14: Casey Ryan (UC San Diego); Mar. 15-21: Michael Hernandez (Cal Poly Pomona); Mar. 22-28: Josh Como (Cal State L.A.); Mar. 29 - Apr. 4: Fred Cook (UC San Diego); Apr. 5-11: Nick Howe (UC San Diego); Apr. 12-18: Josh Como (Cal State L.A.); Apr. 19-25: Ryan Bertucci (Chico State).