MONMOUTH, Ore. – In a performance that showcased power up front and depth throughout, the Chico State men's cross country team captured its ninth consecutive NCAA West Region title Saturday morning at Ash Creek Preserve. Behind Damian Garcia's individual championship and a trio of All-West Region performances, the Wildcats scored 75 points to edge Western Washington (88) and Cal Poly Pomona (97) in a field of 23 teams.
Garcia surged to the front early and never let go, crossing the line in 29:26.4 to claim his first NCAA individual title and lead Chico State to its 24th regional title overall. The junior became the second straight Wildcat to win the regional crown, following Mario Giannini's victory in 2024, and is the seventh West Region champion in program history. Garcia also earned his second straight All-West Region honor.
Giannini (10th, 30:02.2) and Matthew Gordon (15th, 30:14.8) each collected their third consecutive All-West Region awards, while Jesus Villarreal (18th, 30:23.4) earned the honor for the first time in his career. Freshman Jackson Stream rounded out the scoring in 31st place with a time of 30:44.4.
Team Results (Top 5 of 23 teams)
| Place |
Team |
Score |
Total Time |
Avg. Time |
| 1st |
Chico State |
75 |
2:30:51 |
30:10 |
| 2nd |
Western Washington |
88 |
2:31:28 |
30:17 |
| 3rd |
Cal Poly Pomona |
97 |
2:31:38 |
30:19 |
| 4th |
Alaska Anchorage |
126 |
2:32:24 |
30:28 |
| 5th |
Northwest Nazarene |
141 |
2:33:05 |
30:37 |
Top Chico State Finishers
| Place |
Athlete |
Year |
Time |
Note |
| 1st |
Damian Garcia |
JR |
29:26.4 |
West Region Champion (2nd All-Region) |
| 10th |
Mario Giannini |
JR |
30:02.2 |
3rd straight All-West Region |
| 15th |
Matthew Gordon |
JR |
30:14.8 |
3rd straight All-West Region |
| 18th |
Jesus Villarreal |
SR |
30:23.4 |
1st career All-West Region |
| 31st |
Jackson Stream |
FR |
30:44.4 |
|
| 36th |
Sergio Cuartas III |
SO |
31:02.7 |
|
| 63rd |
Travis Selby |
SR |
31:35.8 |
|
Championship Notes
- Chico State wins its ninth straight West Region title and 24th overall
- Damian Garcia becomes Chico State's seventh West Region champion
- Wildcats win back-to-back individual titles (Giannini in 2024, Garcia in 2025)
- Four Wildcats earn All-West Region honors by finishing in the top 25
- Giannini and Gordon collect their third career All-West Region awards
- Garcia earns his second All-West Region honor
Up Next
The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Championships, scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. The meet will be held at Parkside's Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It marks Chico State's 26th consecutive appearance at the national meet and 31st in program history.
