MONMOUTH, Ore. – When Chico State started the men's cross country season in September at Ash Creek Preserve, it went in as the No. 1 team in the NCAA West Region. On Saturday morning at the very same site but much different weather, the Wildcats maintained that No. 1 ranking and claimed its seventh consecutive regional crown.
 
Running in a drizzle and wet 10K course, as was expected in the forecast, the Wildcats scored 47 points to take first place in a field that featured 23 teams and 156 runners. Azusa Pacific took second place with 61 points and CCAA rivals Cal Poly Pomona took third with 77 points, edging fourth-place Western Washington by two points.
 
The first-place finish keeps the Wildcats undefeated as a team in scoring.
 
As West Region champions, the Wildcats secure another berth to the NCAA Division II Championships. It will be held on November 18 at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri.
 
In addition to claiming the seventh straight regional trophy, six Chico State runners earned the honor of becoming All-West Region. Brayden McLaughlin led the group with a fourth-place finish in 30:51.0, earning his third straight All-West Region accolade. Dylan White finished right behind McLaughlin and was just 1.8 seconds short of catching up to him, but lands All-West Region for the first time.
 
Daniel Hernandez earned his second straight All-West Region by placing seventh in 30:54.7, improving 10 positions from last season. Joshua O'Neill also became a two-time All-West Region after running a 31:03.1 for 14^th place.
 
Matthew Gordon and Mario Giannini round out the Wildcats' All-West Region team list with 17^th and 18^th-place finishes. Gordon ran a 31:08.4 while Giannini was at 31:09.1.
 
Hunter Dougherty rounded out Chico State in the race, running a time of 32:17.3 and placing 56^th overall.