The California State University, Chico Wildcats men’s and women’s cross country teams will begin their 2026 season on Friday, September 18, at the Saint Mary’s Invitational hosted at Newhall Community Park in Concord, California. The men’s 8-kilometer race starts at 8:45 a.m., followed by the women’s 6-kilometer race at 9:30 a.m.
Chico State is competing with a roster of 49 athletes, 23 men and 27 women, against a competitive 15-team collegiate field predominantly composed of NCAA Division I programs, including California, UCLA, San Francisco, San Jose State, San Diego State, and Saint Mary’s. Alongside Chico State, Cal State East Bay and Dominican represent the three Division II programs in the event.
Both Wildcats teams enter the season with strong expectations, holding the No. 1 position in the USTFCCCA West Region preseason rankings. Nationally, the men sit at No. 7, while the women are ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II.
Women’s Team Returns Experienced Leaders and Depth
The women’s team returns nearly its entire scoring lineup from last year’s eighth-place NCAA finish, featuring Megan Malloy, Paulina Martins, Sienna Bianchi, and Kira Forsberg. Notably, All-American Della Molina, the 2024 CCAA individual champion who sat out the 2025 season, makes a highly anticipated return. Molina and teammates had standout 2026 track seasons, contributing to the top-ranked NCAA Division II squads in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter events.
Additional key contributors include Olivia Beschorner, Catherine McGuire, and Isabel Rosales, each of whom had breakout track performances and add valuable depth to the roster. Other athletes with strong collegiate credentials include April Anguiano, Kaya Scuba, Zoe Aitken, and transfer Mattie Whipple, providing the Wildcats with a deep and versatile women’s team.
Men’s Team Pursues Continued Championship Excellence
The men’s team aims to extend an impressive legacy, having won 23 consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association titles and 20 of the last 23 NCAA West Region championships. The team returns multiple experienced runners, including Mario Giannini, Matthew Gordon, Sergio Cuartas III, and Jackson Stream, alongside defending West Region champion Damian Garcia, who will sit out this opener to recover from an extensive track season highlighted by school records and a historically fast 1,500-meter time.
Emerging talent such as Alijah Murillo, Peter Kendall, and Stephan Chapdelaine bolster the roster, reflecting a blend of seasoned leaders and promising newcomers ready to make their mark.
Season Outlook
Following the Saint Mary’s Invitational, Chico State will compete in the SF State Invitational, Bill Dellinger Invitational, Bronco Invitational, CCAA Championships in San Bernardino on November 7, NCAA West Regional at Sacramento on November 21, and will conclude the season at the NCAA Division II Championships on December 4 in Lawrence, Kansas. The early-season invitational serves as a crucial test of team depth and readiness as both programs pursue another season with national and regional championship aspirations.
CSB Take
California State University, Chico’s men’s and women’s cross country teams enter the 2026 season poised for success with top regional and national rankings. Their depth and experience will be tested against a strong field largely from NCAA Division I, offering vital insight early in the season. How the Wildcats perform at the Saint Mary’s Invitational will set the tone for a demanding schedule ahead and reaffirm their status among the NCAA Division II elite.
Source: Original report
