Molina Sisters Lead the Way to a Regional Title

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Chico State women's cross country team won their first west regional title in over five years with Iresh and Della Molina at the front of the pack. 

The regional title win in Billings automatically qualifies the team for the 2024 NCAA National Championships hosted in Sacramento on November 23rd at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course.

Della Molina followed up her CCAA Conference Championship individual medal with a team-best finish against the best in the west. The junior clocked a time of 20:31.4 and crossed the finish line in fourth place, tying her best position finish from last year's regional.

Just seconds behind, Iresh Molina finished in fifth place with a vital time of 20:35, improving by 16 positions from last year's regional race and helping boost her team to the team win.

The sisters were side by side through most of the race, as they had been for the entire season, pushing each other to the top of the western region. The Chico natives earned All-West Region honors with their top-five finishes.

Sophomore Jasmine Fletcher, competing in her first NCAA West Regional race, showcased her strength, finishing in 28th at 21:52.8.

Teammates Kaya Scuba and Sophie Pelletier finished in a staggered 33rd and 34th place finish, battling off a plethora of runners to claim strong scoring positions. Scuba, a freshman, has been an incredible addition to the impressive Wildcats, finishing her first regional race at 22:02.4. 

Pelletier, the sole senior on the team, improved from her finish in last year's regional with a time of 22:05.5.

Marbella Flores (44th) and Sienna Bianchi (52nd) rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats, claiming vital finishes in Billings. Both runners competed in their first western regional race, putting together incredible races as they went face to face against the best runners in the west region.

It was a team effort as all seven runners finished in the pivotal scoring positions, beating Western Washington (115) and Biola (141), both team champions of their respective conferences. 

The Chico State team now earns an automatic qualifier into the NCAA DII National Championships, which take place not far from the university in Sacramento and are hosted by the CCAA. The nation's best will toe the line on November 23rd at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course.

NCAA WEST REGIONALS (6K)
Hosted by Montana State Billings
Chico State Results

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
4. Della Molina - 20:31.4
5. Iresh Molina - 20:34.5
28. Jasmine Fletcher - 21:52.8
33. Kaya Scuba - 22:02.4
34. Sophie Pelletier - 22:05.5
44. Marbella Flores - 22:13.9
52. Sienna Bianchi - 22:20.8

TEAM RESULTS
1. Chico State
2. Western Washington
3. Biola
4. Alaska Fairbanks
5. Stanislaus State
6. Alaska Anchorage
7. Point Loma
8. CUI
9. Simon Fraser
10. Seattle Pacific
11. Cal Poly Pomona
12. Fresno Pacific
13. Azusa Pacific
14. Sonoma State
15. San Marocs
16. Western Oregon
17. Cal State East Bay
18. Northwest Nazarene
19. CSUSB
20. CSUMB
21. Westmont
22. MSU-Billings
23. Cal Poly Humboldt
24. San Francisco State
25. Chaminade
26. CSLA
27. HPU
28. Hawai'i-Hilo DNC
29. Academy of Art DNC
30. Saint Martin's DNC