TURLOCK, Calif. — The Chico State men's track & field team delivered another statement performance Friday at the CCAA Championships, piling up points across the track and field to pull into a tie for first place in the team standings. With seven events scored, the Wildcats and Cal Poly Pomona sit even at 87 points apiece, setting up a dramatic final day Saturday at Stanislaus State.
Senior distance standout Hunter Dougherty led a 1–2–3 sweep in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, capturing his second straight CCAA title in the event with a winning time of 9:08.03. He was followed by Adrian Hipolito (9:17.89) and Anders Beil (9:21.55), as the Wildcats earned 24 points and continued their dominance in the event. Chico State has now produced the individual men's steeplechase champion in 18 of the past 21 CCAA Championships.
In the decathlon, Jordan Ausbie etched his name into program history with a ten-event total of 6,716 points, earning the CCAA crown and becoming the first Wildcat to win the event since current assistant coach Zack Nelson in 2002. It also marked Chico State's ninth decathlon title in program history at the CCAA meet. Collin Totman finished second overall (6,479 points), giving the Wildcats a 1–2 punch and a combined 18 team points.
Chance Hefter, one day after winning the hammer throw, earned a second-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 16.72 meters, good for All-CCAA honors. Chico State picked up additional points in the event from Jorge Barajas (7th, 15.21m) and Angel Rocha (8th, 15.02m).
Freshman Nehemiah Holiday placed fourth in the triple jump, reaching 14.08 meters and just missing the podium in his CCAA Championships debut.
In sprint prelims, senior Vincent Rinaldi (21.38) and sophomore Brody Staley (21.44) both advanced to Saturday's 200-meter final, with Staley's time moving him into a tie for 7th on Chico State's all-time top 10 list in the event. Damian Garcia moved on in the 800 meters, finishing third in his heat in 1:56.55.
The 110-meter hurdles prelims were invalidated following a successful protest that revealed a misplacement of the hurdles. The race will be re-run at noon on Saturday, and official qualifiers will be determined based on that outcome.
Through two days of action, the Wildcats have racked up points in the steeplechase, decathlon, shot put, hammer throw, and long jump, positioning themselves for a shot at the team title heading into Saturday's final session.
Team Standings (7 events scored)
T-1. Chico State – 87
T-1. Cal Poly Pomona – 87
3. Stanislaus State – 34
4. Cal State East Bay – 26
5. Cal State San Marcos – 18
6. Cal Poly Humboldt – 10
T-7. CSUMB – 5
T-7. San Francisco State – 5
