There's a reason it feels like Rory Abberton is at his best as the competition ramps up. It's because he is. The Chico State junior led the fifth-ranked Wildcats (and all California Collegiate Athletic Association competitors) across the finish line at the NCAA D2 Pre-Nationals Saturday, pacing Chico State's second-place finish. Monday, Abberton was named the CCAA Runner of the Week for the first time.
 
Abberton covered the 8-kilometer course along the Puget Sound in 24:04.10. His final split was the team's fastest. That allowed him to move up a spot into 10^th place, helping the Wildcats hold off 10^th-ranked Western Colorado for second place.
 
Abberton has twice earned All-CCAA honors while helping lead the Wildcats to conference titles. He earned All-West Region accolades in his only attempt while leading to the Wildcats to that title last season. And he nearly earned All-America honors as a freshman, finishing 42^nd at the 2020 NCAA Championships. And on the track, Abberton finished sixth in the nation to earn All-America honors in the 1,500 meters last season after claiming two All-CCAA awards.
 
Abberton is the third Wildcat to earn the CCAA Runner of the Week honor this season, joining Jack Emanuel and Omar Alvarez-Hernandez.
 
The site of Saturday's race, Chambers Creek Regional Park in University Place, Washington, will also be the site of the NCAA Championships on Dec. 2. But before that, Abberton and the Wildcats will look to win their 20^th consecutive CCAA title on Nov. 5 at Palo Corona Regional Park in Carmel; and their sixth consecutive NCAA West Regional Championship on Nov. 19 at Amend Park in Billings, Montana.