Without question, Gary Towne is Chico State cross country.
One of the most successful coaches in Chico State Athletics history, Towne has led the Wildcat men’s and women’s cross country programs since 1996, building both into perennial conference, regional and national contenders. He also serves as Chico State track & field’s distance coach, guiding the Wildcats’ middle-distance and distance runners.
Across cross country and track & field, Towne’s athletes have combined for more than 170 All-America honors, more than 100 All-West Region selections, more than 300 All-CCAA performances, and four NCAA individual national championships in cross country and distance track events. His programs are recognized among the most consistently elite in NCAA Division II athletics.
Towne’s men’s cross country program has developed into one of the great dynasties in Division II. The Wildcats have won 23 consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association championships, extending a streak that began in 2002, and have captured nine straight NCAA West Region titles. Chico State has also made 26 consecutive NCAA Championship appearances under Towne’s leadership, regularly finishing among the nation’s top programs and posting 11 top-five national finishes, including third-place efforts in 2008 and 2019.
The Wildcat men continued that standard from 2023 through 2025. Chico State won its 21st straight CCAA title and seventh straight West Region title in 2023, placed ninth at the NCAA Championships, and produced All-American Brayden McLaughlin. In 2024, the Wildcats added their 22nd straight CCAA crown, eighth straight West Region championship, and a sixth-place NCAA finish. The 2025 team pushed the streaks even further, winning the program’s 23rd straight CCAA title and ninth straight West Region championship before making its 26th consecutive NCAA Championships appearance.
The 2025 men’s season featured more individual excellence from Towne’s squad. Mario Giannini won his second straight CCAA individual title and was named CCAA Runner of the Year, while Damian Garcia captured the NCAA West Region individual championship. Giannini, Garcia, Matthew Gordon and Jesus Villarreal earned All-West Region honors, and Jackson Stream was named CCAA Freshman of the Year. Towne was named CCAA Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year for the 21st time and USTFCCCA West Region Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.
The Chico State women’s cross country program has been equally successful under Towne. The Wildcats have won 20 CCAA championships and have made 25 consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. After returning to the top of the CCAA in 2023, Chico State won three straight conference championships from 2023 through 2025 and added back-to-back NCAA West Region titles in 2024 and 2025.
The 2023 women’s team won the program’s first CCAA championship since 2019, qualified for the NCAA Championships for the 25th time in program history, and placed 13th nationally. Iresh Molina and Della Molina became the 25th and 26th All-Americans in program history. In 2024, the Wildcats repeated as CCAA champions, captured their first NCAA West Region title since 2019, and finished 15th at the NCAA Championships while Iresh and Della Molina both earned All-America honors again.
The 2025 women’s team delivered one of the strongest seasons in program history. Chico State won its third straight CCAA championship, captured its second straight NCAA West Region title and 10th overall regional championship, and placed eighth at the NCAA Championships for the program’s best national finish since 2019. Iresh Molina won the CCAA individual title, was named CCAA Runner of the Year, and became the first three-time All-American in Chico State women’s cross country history. Paulina Martins was named CCAA Freshman of the Year, Kira Forsberg was named CCAA Newcomer of the Year, and six Wildcats earned All-West Region honors. Towne was named CCAA Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year for the 19th time and USTFCCCA West Region Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Towne’s impact extends well beyond the cross country course. As Chico State track & field’s distance coach, he has helped build one of the premier distance programs in Division II. His athletes have earned more than 100 All-America honors in events ranging from the 800 meters through the 10,000 meters and 3,000-meter steeplechase, while helping Chico State capture numerous CCAA track & field team championships and post multiple national top-10 finishes.
Towne’s track & field résumé includes multiple NCAA national champions, including Scott Bauhs in the 10,000 meters in 2007 and 5,000 meters in 2008, Charlie Serrano in the 5,000 meters in 2007, and Sarah Montez in the 3,000 meters in 2008. He has also coached a long list of distance All-Americans, school-record performers and NCAA Championships qualifiers across both the men’s and women’s programs.
The 2026 track & field season added another significant chapter to Towne’s distance legacy. Damian Garcia set Chico State records in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters, including a 3:35.61 in the 1,500 meters that ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II for the season. Mario Giannini moved to No. 4 in program history in the 10,000 meters and No. 5 in the 5,000 meters, while Alex Lamoureux climbed into the top 10 in the 1,500 meters. On the women’s side, Iresh Molina broke the Chico State 10,000-meter record, and Della Molina, Paulina Martins, Sienna Bianchi and Megan Malloy all produced all-time top-10 marks in distance events.
Towne’s coaching excellence has been recognized throughout his career. He has earned 40 combined CCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year awards, including 21 on the men’s side and 19 on the women’s side, and has swept the men’s and women’s awards 17 times. He has also earned numerous USTFCCCA West Region Cross Country Coach of the Year honors, six USTFCCCA West Region Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year awards, and two USTFCCCA National Assistant Track & Field Coach of the Year honors, receiving the national award in 2008 and 2009.
A proud Chico State alumnus, Towne earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1991 and his master’s degree in 1996. He and his wife, Roxanne, a probation officer for Butte County, reside in Chico.
