MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Chico State men's cross country team's season-opener was in dominant fashion as the defending NCAA West Region champions saw five Wildcats cross the finish line in a row as well as the entire team making top-25 positions to win the Ash Creek Collegiate in a rare 6K race at Ash Creek Preserve Friday evening.
 
Freshman Mario Giannini, making his collegiate debut, took first with a time of 17:27.6. Behind him was Daniel Hernandez, who ran a 17:39.8. Dylan White made the podium for third place at 17:50.1. Also making the top five were Anders Beil and Brayden McLaughlin.
 
The Wildcats collectively had 15 points, host Western Oregon took second with 71 points and Lewis & Clark was two points behind. Saint Martin's finished fourth and rounding out the rest of the field was Southwest Oregon College, Walla Walla College and Umpqua College.
 
Damian Garcia also had a top-10 finish, crossing the line for seventh place. Travis Selby and Hunter Dougherty narrowly missed the top 10, finishing 11^th and 12^th respectively.
 
The Wildcats will head south to San Diego County to participate in Cal State San Marcos' Cougar Challenge held at Mangrum Track & Field on September 23.
 
Team Results – 2023 Ash Creek Collegiate
1. Chico State – 15
2. Western Oregon – 71
3. Lewis & Clark – 73
4. Saint Martin's – 93
5. Southwest Oregon – 142
6. Walla Walla – 196
7. Umpqua – 199
 
Individual Results (Top 10 and Chico Results)
1. Mario Giannini – 17:27.6
2. Daniel Hernandez – 17.39.8
3. Dylan White – 17:50.1
4. Anders Beil – 17:57.1
5. Brayden McLaughlin – 18:00.5
6. Evan Markelz (L&C) – 18:03.1
7. Damian Garcia – 18:11.7
8. Isaac Cortes (SMU) – 18:16.6
9. Easton Pomrankey (WOU) – 18:19.3
10. Kainalu Pagente (SMU) – 18:24.5
11. Travis Selby – 18:32.6
12. Hunter Dougherty – 18:35.7
14. Matthew Gordon – 18:37.8
17. Bennett Woodward – 18:44.6
22. Jayden Olea – 18:57.6
24. Jesus Villarreal – 18:59.5