HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Chico State men's cross country team faced perhaps the ultimate test on the 2024 regular season Saturday as the Wildcats placed first at the heavily crowded Chargers Invitational hosted by the University of Alabama Huntsville.
In a field that featured 35 teams, five of which are nationally ranked according to the U.S. Track & Field-Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), and 334 individuals, No. 7 Chico State saw all seven of its participants place in the top 25 and scored a combined 45 points to win its third meet of the season. The Wildcats beat the host No. 15 Chargers by 47 points while No. 22 Pittsburg State took third with 116 points.
Chico State wasn't the only representative from the West Region as CUI finished fourth with 213 points and CCAA rivals Cal State San Marcos placed 12
th and Westmont took 13
th.
Running in an 8K, Damian Garcia was the top finisher for the Wildcats, placing fourth in 23:56.60. Dylan White and Mario Giannini was eighth and ninth, respectively, in very close times. White finished at 24:03.30 and Giannini was 0.20 seconds behind him.
Daniel Hernandez took 11
th place in 24:04.70 followed by Brayden McLaughlin (24:11.6) at 13
th and Matthew Gordon (24:13.50) at 14
th. Hunter Dougherty rounded out the Wildcats by taking 23
rd overall at 24:28.00.
The Wildcats now turn their attention to defending their conference and regional championships, starting with the CCAA Championships, held on October 25 at Woodward Park in Fresno. The men's 8K race begins at 9 a.m. Chico State will be seeking an unprecedented 22
nd straight CCAA championship while Dylan White will be defending his individual title.
CHARGERS INVITATIONAL
Hosted by the University of Alabama Huntsville
Chico State Results
Individual Results (334 Participants)
4. Damian Garcia, 23:56.60
8. Dylan White, 24:03.30
9. Mario Giannini, 24:03.50
11. Daniel Hernandez, 24:04.70
13. Brayden McLaughlin, 24:11.60
14. Matthew Gordon, 24:13.50
23. Hunter Dougherty, 24:28.00
Team Results (Rankings based on USTFCCCA)
1. No. 7 Chico State, 45 Pts.
2. No. 15 Alabama-Huntsville, 92 Pts.
3. No. 22 Pittsburg State, 116 Pts.
4. CUI, 213 Pts.
5. No. 29 Florida Southern, 213 Pts.
6. Oklahoma Baptist, 224 Pts.
7. Harding, 227 Pts.
8. No. 8 Lee (Tenn.), 239 Pts.
9. Black Hills State, 263 Pts.
10. Mississippi College, 266 Pts.
11. Tampa, 271 Pts.
12. Cal State San Marcos, 289 Pts.
13. Westmont, 323 Pts.
14. SCAD Atlanta, 391 Pts.
15. Lincoln Memorial, 471 Pts.
16. UNC Pembroke, 493 Pts.
17. Mobile, 526 Pts.
18. Florida Tech, 540 Pts.
19. Christian Bros., 547 Pts.
20. UT Southern, 583 Pts.
21. Oklahoma Christian, 588 Pts.
22. Lees-McRae, 622 Pts.
23. West Alabama, 635, Pts.
24. Trevecca Nazarene, 687 Pts.
25. Reinhardt, 687 Pts.
26. Nova Southeastern, 728 Pts.
27. Morehouse, 759 Pts.
28. Valdosta State, 854 Pts.
29. Alabama A&M, 882 Pts.
30. Columbus St., 894 Pts.
31. UA-Fort Smith, 915 Pts.
32. Florida College, 962 Pts.
33. Shelton State CC, 1,004 Pts.
34. Clark Atlanta, 1,123 Pts.
35. Northeast Mississippi, 1,131 Pts.
