EMPORIA, Kan. – Chico State saw five national qualifiers compete on the biggest stage Thursday across three events at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Iresh Molina, Della Molina, Megan Malloy, Sienna Bianchi and Janey Rubio all represented Chico State during the opening day of competition in Emporia.
Janey Rubio wrapped up her first NCAA Championships appearance by finishing the season tied for 19th nationally in the pole vault. Rubio cleared 3.65 meters and finished as the lone women's pole vaulter from the West Region competing at the championships.
Sienna Bianchi concluded her standout season with a 17th-place finish in the 1500 meters, crossing the line in 4:30.32 in her first NCAA Outdoor Championships race.
The Wildcats then placed three runners in the 10,000 meters, as Della Molina, Iresh Molina and Megan Malloy took the national stage together after pushing one another throughout the season.
Chico State's trio maintained the pace of the lead group but implemented a strategic pace in the middle of the pack for over 6000m. Over halfway through the race, Iresh and Della Molina began to climb towards the lead group, jumping four to five places as they reached reached the final 3000m.
Iresh Molina led the trio, finishing third in 34:21.05 to earn her second consecutive All-American honor in the event. Iresh closed out the final stretch in a footrace, falling behind the 2nd place runner by the slimmest of margins.
Della Molina followed closely behind in fifth place with a time of 34:29.63, also securing repeat All-American status in the 10,000 meters. Starting the race in 14th, the Chico native made up quick ground to finish nine places ahead of a packed opening 1200m.
Megan Malloy capped off a career-best season with an 11th-place finish, recording a time of 35:23.52. Malloy kept pace with the top-eight runners for the opening 3000m of the long-distance event, eventually dropping a few spots as the pace began to accelerate. Despite the increased pace, Malloy picked off two runners in the final 800m, leaving it all out on the track. She'll leave Kansas as a Second Team All-American finisher in her first trip to the track & field championships.
Chico State returns to action Saturday for the final event of the outdoor season, as the Molina sisters and freshman Paulina Martins compete in the 5,000 meters at Welch Stadium. The race is scheduled to begin at 4:55 p.m.
