NEW ORLEANS—The Chico State men's cross country team continued its dominance of the West Region in the fall, winning its fifth straight NCAA Regional title and 16^th in the past 19 years. The Wildcats went ahead and rubbed it in, becoming the lone West Region program to qualify for the NCAA Championships and then earn U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team honors thanks to a team GPA of 3.27.
 
Rory Abberton, Matthew Herrera, Brayden McLaughlin, Dylan White, and Charlie Giannini helped lead the way, earning All-Academic honors in the process. The five proved to be among the best of the best in their sport and in the classroom. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, they all compiled a GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, and finished among the top-30 percent of competitors (the top 66) at the NCAA Regional Championships.
 
This marks the first time the Wildcats have earned the team award but it will not likely be the last. Head Coach Gary Towne plans to return almost his entire roster for the 2022 campaign, including McLaughlin, Giannini and White. All three plan to compete for Chico State's track and field team this spring as well. Herrera graduated in the spring of 2021 and is pursuing his master's degree in kinesiology. Abberton will graduate this spring with his degree in communications.
 
McLaughlin is majoring in exercise physiology and will be a sophomore next season. Giannini is majoring in biological sciences and will be a sophomore next season. White is double-majoring in criminal justice and biology and will be a junior next season.