CHICO, Calif. California State University, Chico has announced its 2026 recruiting class for the Wildcats men’s cross country team, featuring six athletes all from Northern California. Four members of the class competed within approximately 100 miles of Chico, bringing regional talent to the program.
The class includes Peter Kendall from Twelve Bridges High School, Alijah Murillo from Branham High School, Rowan Henry from Nevada Union High School, Brady Bliesner from Aptos High School, Grady Morris from Ponderosa High School, and Stephan Chapdelaine from Butte College.
Notable Recruits
Peter Kendall earned recognition with a sub-nine-minute 3200-meter best of 8:58.16 and a sixth-place finish at the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park, where he ran the course in 15:08.8. He also secured an SJS cross country championship and qualified for the CIF State Track & Field Championships.
Alijah Murillo stands out for his 14:49.1 performance at the 2025 CIF State Championships held at Woodward Park, the fastest time on that course by any future Wildcat. Murillo was second in Division II at the championships, captured the CCS Division II cross country title, and competed at Nike Cross Nationals, finishing 44th.
Additional Class Members and Their Strengths
Rowan Henry offers strong middle-distance credentials with personal bests including 52.88 in the 400 meters and 1:54.27 in the 800 meters. An injury restricted his senior season, but his junior-year performances show significant potential.
Brady Bliesner is a versatile competitor and three-time SCCAL champion, boasting an 8K time of 15:42.1 at Woodward Park and an 800-meter best of 1:55.13.
Grady Morris finished 16th in Division III at the CIF State Cross Country Championships with a time of 15:27.6 and holds personal records of 53.12 in the 400 meters and 1:56.59 in the 800 meters.
Junior college athlete Stephan Chapdelaine is a two-time junior college All-American and two-time Northern California 10,000-meter champion. With personal bests including 4:00.17 in the 1500 meters and 31:13.20 in the 10,000 meters, he has shown rapid progression and familiarity with the Chico running community.
Coach Gary Towne Comments
Head coach Gary Towne called Kendall and Murillo “two of the best athletes” to join the program, noting Kendall’s sub-nine-minute 3200 meters and Murillo’s Woodward Park time as significant achievements. Towne also described Chapdelaine as a “diamond in the rough” who has made substantial improvements at Butte College and is emerging as a strong contender on the team.
Coach Towne stated, “Overall, I think this is one of the best recruiting groups that we’ve been able to bring in.” The incoming athletes bring a wide range of skills and development potential, contributing to the Wildcats’ tradition of success in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
CSB Take
The Chico State Wildcats’ 2026 men’s cross country recruiting class represents a concentrated effort to draw premier regional talent to bolster their roster. By blending standout high school athletes with an accomplished junior college runner familiar with the local community, the program sets a solid foundation for continued competitiveness. The class’s depth and potential, especially with headline runners like Peter Kendall and Alijah Murillo, suggest promising growth and sustained success for Chico State in collegiate cross country.
Source: Original report
