NEW ORLEANS - Two members of the Chico State track & field coaching staff received regional recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, as head coach Oliver Hanf was named the NCAA Division II Women's West Region Coach of the Year and Scott Kruetzfeldt was selected as the Men's West Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
The honors cap a standout outdoor season for the Wildcats, who swept the CCAA men's and women's team championships and sent six from each program to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas.
Hanf guided the Chico State women's team to its first CCAA championship since 2017, as the Wildcats scored 213.5 points to outlast Cal Poly Pomona in a tight team race on the campus of Cal State San Marcos. Chico State was ranked No. 1 in the West Region throughout the season and went on to earn six All-America honors at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.
The Wildcats' women's team was led by Iresh Molina, Della Molina, Paulina Martins and Megan Malloy, who all earned All-America honors at the national meet. Iresh Molina finished as a first-team All-American in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, while Della Molina earned first-team honors in the 10,000 and second-team recognition in the 5,000. Martins added second-team All-America honors in the 5,000, and Malloy earned second-team honors in the 10,000.
Hanf also led the Chico State men to the CCAA title with 263 points, completing the Wildcats' first sweep of the conference men's and women's outdoor championships since 2017.
Kruetzfeldt earned Men's West Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors after helping guide Chico State's mid-distance and distance runners through another high-level season. His event group won four events at the CCAA Outdoor Championships and collected five All-West Region honors.
Damian Garcia and Mario Giannini highlighted Kruetzfeldt's group at the NCAA Championships, with both earning first-team All-America honors. Garcia placed fifth in the 1,500 meters, while Giannini finished eighth in the 10,000 meters. Garcia also posted the fastest 1,500-meter time in NCAA Division II during the season, running 3:35.61 at the APU Franson Last Chance meet, while Giannini ranked among the nation's best in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
At the CCAA Championships, Chico State's men won four mid-distance and distance events, with Garcia sweeping the 800 and 1,500 meters, Giannini winning the 5,000 meters and Adrian Hipolito claiming the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The regional honors add to a decorated season for the Chico State staff. Hanf was previously named CCAA Coach of the Year for both the men's and women's programs after leading the Wildcats to the conference-title sweep.
