INDIANAPOLIS – The list is finalized and Chico State will send a shortlist of 'Cats that are poised to make the trip to Emporia, Kansas for the 2026 NCAA DII Track & Field National Championships on May 21
st – May 23
rd.
Chico State Event Schedule (all times listed Pacific Time Zone)
May 21
1:00 p.m. – Pole Vault (Janey Rubio)
3:25 p.m. - 1,500m prelims (Sienna Bianchi)
6:50 p.m. - 10,000m final (Della Molina, Iresh Molina, Megan Malloy)
May 23 (if a Wildcat qualifies)
2:05 p.m. - 1,500m final (Sienna Bianchi)
4:55 p.m. – 5,000 final (Della Molina, Iresh Molina, Paulina Martins)
Returning to the national stage are two familiar names:
Della and Iresh Molina. The Chico State natives are headed to Kansas ranked among the nation's best in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. Della enters the championships ranked sixth in both events, while her sister Iresh sits third in the 10,000 meters and seventh in the 5,000 meters.
Megan Malloy, Paulina Martins, Sienna Bianchi and Janey Rubio will each make their NCAA Championship debuts.
Janey Rubio becomes the first Chico State pole vaulter—and field athlete—to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 2022. She secured her spot on her final attempt at the Franson Last Chance meet, clearing
4.02 meters to move up to 14th in the nation.
Sienna Bianchi will represent Chico State in the 1,500 meters, earning her qualification with a standout performance of
4:26.83 at the Franson Last Chance meet.
Megan Malloy joins Della and Iresh Molina in the 10,000 meters after recording an early qualifying mark at the Stanford Invitational. Her time of
34:34.54 ranks 14th nationally as she prepares for her first appearance on the national stage in Emporia.
Paulina Martins will also make her NCAA Championship debut, earning a top national ranking in the 5,000 meters with a time of
16:26.19 at the APU Franson Last Chance meet.
Chico State is tied with Cal Poly Pomona for the most individual qualifiers at the 2026 NCAA Division II Championships, with six athletes set to compete.
