NEW ORLEANS – Shortly after being announced as the conference runner of the week, Chico State's Mario Giannini has gained national attention.
 
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) announced the Chico native as its Division II Men's National Runner of the Week Monday.
 
Giannini, an All-American and the NCAA West Region Athlete of the Year from last season, started off solid at the Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational on Saturday, clocking in 23:31.0 in the 8K run under the lights at River Oaks Golf Course to place second overall out of 214 runners representing colleges and universities in all levels. Giannini was also the top NCAA Division II runner in the field.
 
Chico State as a team took third overall in the meet behind Division I's UC Davis and California, making the Wildcats the top finisher among five other Division II teams participating.
 
It is the fifth time in his career that Giannini was the top finisher among Chico State runners.
 
The Wildcats will get a sneak peek at the site of the NCAA West Regionals by participating in the Mike Johnson Classic, held September 27 at Western Oregon's Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth.