SACRAMENTO - The Wildcats took the short trip to Sacramento State for the Hornet Invitational, gaining their first glimpse into the competition field across multiple NCAA divisions. Competing against athletes of different levels always brings out incredible energy and creates an even greater competitive atmosphere.
Two Wildcats at the Hornet Invitational earned themselves NCAA DII provisional marks, propping themselves up for a chance at the national meet in May. The first athlete, Marissa D'Atri, earned the mark in her favored event, the 3000 Steeplechase. At a finishing time of 10:27.97, she becomes the second Chico State athlete to earn a Provo mark so far this season.
D'Atri's performance at Sacramento State landed her in the top spot in the event,
The second 'Cat to clear the mark was Kendra Pearson, recording a mark of 1.67m on her second try in the high jump.
After setting her first provisional mark for the season, Josie Peterson earned another provo mark in the javelin, which was not enough to extend her best mark for the season, but she continues to build momentum. However, she finished sixth in the javelin, and in the hammer throw, Peterson earned a new personal best of 42.59m.
Sativa Younge set a new personal best in the 100m dash, one of the most packed events of the meet, setting a new best mark of 12.93. With a time of 13.05, Natalie Muse was able to set a new personal best in the fast-paced event.
In a spectacular 400m race, Danielle Bacon earned a new personal best of 57.08, landing 10th in the event. Kaitlyn Gonzales clocked at time of 59.54 in the event, alongside teammate Jessica James who set a 1:00.38, both setting personal bests against a stacked field.
Freshman Sienna Bianchi collected a personal best in the 800m, crossing the finish in 17th at 2:17.24. Senior Katie Hawley finished just behind Bianchi with a time of 2:18.27.
Elise Barnum and Rebecca Graham both recorded 3.50m marks in the pole vault, finishing in 17th and 18th, respectively.
Della Molina and Iresh Molina led the pack of Wildcats in distance events, both athletes snatching up new personal bests in the 1500m and 3000m races. Iresh led the way in the 3000m with a time of 9:52, Della just behind at 9:58—in the 1500m Della was a step ahead with a time of 4:36.12 and Iresh crossing the finish at 4:43.69.
Teammates; Jaclyn Denham, Jasmine Fletcher, Alexi Steinmaus, and Sienna Bianchi were all in support, just a few steps behind the Molina sisters in the distance events.
Alexis Hinojosa has been consistent early into the season, competing in the 100m hurdles, taking 12th with a time of 14.48.
Ava Cavallaro participated in three field events: shot put, discus, and hammer throw. In the shot put, she recorded an 11.92m mark, in the discus a 38.53m, and a hammer throw toss of 37.62m.
