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Helping To Make CSU, Chico Better

TThe men's cross-country team had a tremendous season, finishing sixth in the NCAA Division II National Championship Nov. 20. The finish was the best for a CSU, Chico cross country team since 1973, when the squad also placed sixth. Chico entered the championship ranked 12th out of 17 teams, but surprised over half the field, including West Region and California Collegiate Athletic Association champions UC, Davis, which came in 10th. By finishing in the top eight, Chico earned a third qualifying spot for West Region teams in next year's championship.

Two Wildcats, Jose Saenz and David Braund, were named All-Americans. Daniel Embaye would also have been named All-American, but he is not a U.S. citizen. The other Wildcat runners were Kevin White, Brent Edson, Rafael Lopez, and Tyler Graff. The 6.2-mile race was held on the Missouri Southern State College campus in Joplin, Mo.

Coach Gary Towne explains how the Wildcats did it:

"There were several keys to our finish. First, Jose Saenz is one of the fiercest competitors that I have ever met and quite possibly the most consistent. I knew Jose would be in the top twenty to thirty-five runners, which is a key at these types of meets (Jose finished 27th).

"Second was the amazing race turned in by Daniel Embaye, who had finished 27th in the West Region race two weeks earlier and turned things around to become our top finisher. He ended up 25th overall in the nation.

"The third key was our depth. Having put our seven runners across the line before any other team in the West Region championships, we were excited to see how high we could put our seven at the NCAAs. Only NCAA champion Western State put seven runners across the finish line before Chico State, as our seventh runner finished ahead of even perennial power Adams State's final competitor.

"We knew the race would go out extremely fast from the front, but that there would be plenty of room to pass along the course and plenty of distance to do it. Instructions were to go out relatively relaxed, while not spotting the main pack much time in the first mile. The team listened to this advice and reacted perfectly, as the lead pack, composed of many fine foreign athletes from various schools, hit the mile in an incredible 4:22. The pack soon followed, as most of the field reached the mile mark much too fast. The Chico contingent ran between 4:45-4:55 through the mile, very relaxed.

"As the race finished, the contingent of supporters who had traveled many hours by car to cheer on their fellow 'Cats rushed to greet the tired but happy harriers of Chico State. A large 'Chico, Chico, Chico' chant sounded at the finish area, as all knew we were definitely in the top 10 and possibly closer to fifth than tenth.

"It was finally announced that we had exceeded our expectations and taken sixth place! With only eight more points, the team would have been in the top four and been awarded trophies and plaques at the championship banquet. But this did not take away from our performance, and all were very happy with the outcome."