MONMOUTH, Ore. – Della and Iresh Molina made top five finishes as the Chico State women's cross country team opened the 2023 season with a rare 5K run at the Ash Creek Collegiate head under twilight at the Ash Creek Preserve Friday.
 
The 'Cats, which entered the season ranked 13^th in the nation and second in the West Region according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, scored 39 points. Saint Martin's took second place with 59 points followed by host Western Oregon's 81 and Sonoma State's 88 points. Lewis & Clark finished fifth with 92 points and Umpqua College rounded out the small group with 184 points.
 
All Wildcats have never ran a 5K race before in the collegiate ranks, and it seemed to have worked well for many of them. Starting with the Molina sisters, Della ran a 18:01.3 to finish fourth place and Iresh finished just 0:05.7 behind her. Sonoma State's Gianna Bomarito crossed the finish line first at 17:12.2.
 
Freshman Sienna Bianchi made the top 10 in her collegiate debut, running an 18:22.8 to finish eighth. Hannah Wirth took 10^th place at 18:29.2.
 
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 – 39
2. Saint Martin's – 59
3. Western Oregon – 81
4. Sonoma State – 88
5. Lewis & Clark – 92
6. Umpqua – 184
 
Individual Results (Top 10 and Chico results)
1. Gianna Bomarito (Sonoma) – 17:12.2
2. Riley Buese (L&C) – 17:53.7
3. Cassidy Walchak-Sloan – 17:57.7
4. Della Molina – 18:01.3
5. Iresh Molina – 18:06.0
6. Caitlin Heldt (WOU) – 18:09.4
7. Malia Heien (L&C) – 18:18.6
8. Sienna Bianchi – 18:22.8 (Collegiate debut)
9. Alisha Saucedo (SMU) – 18:28.3
10. Hannah Wirth – 18:29.2
12. Sophie Pelletier – 18:52.0
14. Jaclyn Denham – 19:03.5
15. Gracie Dupuis – 19:14.5
20. Hannah Ryan – 19.32.7
22. Megan Malloy – 19.46.7 (collegiate debut)
24. Alexi Steinmaus – 19:58.0
30. Melissa Pinter – 20:25.1 (cross country debut)
33. Jennifer Ruiz – 20:42.4
44. Marina Dear – 21:49.3 (cross country debut)