EMPORIA – Marissa D'Atri had just come off her third All-American finish of her career on Friday in the steeplechase as she lined up with fellow Wildcat Della Molina for their final event. D'Atri, with a handful of national races under her belt, Molina, her first time lining up on the track at the national championships.
The weather was just as hot and muggy as the previous two days, but that did not stop these Wildcats from crossing the finish as All-Americans.
The senior from Martinez battled near the head of the pack, holding a consistent pace and clocking a 16:48.48 to earn her third First Team All-American finish. Molina, a native of Chico, dug down deep in the last 1800m to jump into 11th with a time of 17:06.64 and capturing Second Team All-American honors.
When asked what it was like with her fellow Wildcat on the line with her, D'Atri said, "It felt so good to have Della next to. She's an amazing teammate and such a fun person to be around. It was fun to be together, to warm up, and joke around because it brings you back to earth."
The 5000m was the only event that Chico State had two participants competing in—Molina, a newcomer to the outdoor track & field national scene, was proud to have a teammate alongside her, "Yes, having Marissa {D'Atri} out there helped me immensely. Since I've never been to National's before for track, I felt a little uncertain about the race and how it would play out, but Marrisa {D'Atri} was right there with me doing my warmup and telling me that I belonged out there and I could do more than I think as long as I stay confident."
Both Wildcats were at the end of the qualifiers list, coming in as the 19th and 22nd from the regular season, but it had also been one of the fastest years in the past few years in the event. D'Atri passed all but four runners that qualified ahead of her.
Gracie Hyde of Adam State, the holder of the fastest qualifying time in the event, chose not to participate after racing and winning both the steeplechase and 1500m earlier in the weekend.
Both Wildcats looked strong despite the heat, D'Atri knowing that this would be her final race as a member of the Chico State track & field team, "During the race with about a mile to go, the heat started to get to me, but I heard Gary {Towne} talking to me, telling me to take every lap at a time. That's when I started to think about how it was my last race ever for Chico State, and I told myself to just leave it all out there."
The pair capped off an incredible weekend for the Chico State track & field team, claiming the third and fourth All-American titles. Two were earned by newcomers to the national stage, and two from an experienced veteran who capped off an amazing career in Emporia, Kansas.
