CHICO, Calif. – After 12 years, the Chico State women's cross country team found themselves toeing the line on home soil, hosting the 2025 CCAA XC Championships at Hooker Oak Park. The Chico crowd flocked to the park to watch Gary Towne and his Wildcat squad fight for their third straight title.
With a score of 25, the Wildcats finished ahead of Stanislaus State (39), Cal Poly Pomona (85), Cal State San Marcos (140), and Cal State East Bay (154).
Lining up against a formidable Stanislaus State team, the 'Cats strung together another strong team performance to reclaim the title from the Warriors. Seven Chico State runners crossed the finish line in All-CCAA positions, with Paulina Martins, Kira Forsberg, and Olivia Beschorner earning first-time all-conference honors.
Without intending to do so, Iresh Molina pushed to the front of the pack and led the entire race with a smile on her face, determined to capture her first individual title. Molina took over the crown from her sister, Della, passing on the title of CCAA Champion to her twin.
Paulina Martins finished fifth in her first CCAA Championship race, earning CCAA Freshman of the Year honors. Kira Forsberg claimed the Newcomer of the Year award after placing sixth.
Gary Towne earned his 18th Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year award. Towne also claimed the Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year award, for the 21st time in his career—marking the 17th season he's claimed both honors in the same year.
Team Results (Women's 86k)
| Place |
Team |
Score |
Total Time |
Avg. Time |
| 1st |
Chico State |
25 |
1:49:33 |
21:54 |
| 2nd |
Stanislaus State |
39 |
1:50:14 |
22:02 |
| 3rd |
Cal Poly Pomona |
85 |
1:52:48 |
22:33 |
| 4th |
Cal State San Marcos |
140 |
1:56:01 |
23:12 |
Top Chico State Finishers
| Place |
Athlete |
Year |
Time |
Note |
| 1st |
Iresh Molina |
JR |
21:32.7 |
CCAA Champion (First time): Runner of the Year |
| 4th |
Megan Malloy |
JR |
21:54.6 |
1st career All-CCAA |
| 5th |
Paulina Martins |
FR |
21:55.9 |
1st career All-CCAA: CCAA Freshman of the Year |
| 6th |
Kira Forsberg |
FR |
22:02.2 |
1st career All-CCAA: CCAA Newcomer of the Year |
| 13th |
Sienna Bianchi |
JR |
22:08.5 |
1st career All-CCAA |
| 14th |
Olivia Beschorner |
SO |
22:11.1 |
1st career All-CCAA |
| 17th |
Jasmine Fletcher |
JR |
22:12.4 |
|
| 22nd |
Isabel Rosales |
FR |
23:07.7 |
|
| 25th |
Catherine McGuire |
SO |
23:21.1 |
|
| 33rd |
Kaya Scuba |
SO |
23:28.7
|
Wildcat Milestones
- Third straight CCAA Championship title (2023-2025)
- Nineteenth team title in the last twenty years.
- Tenth CCAA Championship scoring under 30 points.
- 3rd time hosting the CCAA Championships (2003, 2013, 2025)
Up Next
The Wildcats return to action on Friday, November 8, traveling to Monmouth, Oregon, to defend their NCAA West Region crown at Ash Creek Preserve.
