The Chico State men's cross country team extended its CCAA Championship streak to 20 consecutive seasons, and the man behind the Wildcats' success, head coach Gary Towne, was voted by his peers as the CCAA Coach of the Year for the 14th straight season.
 
The Wildcats posted 20 points in the championships, with their first six runners in the top 9. Towne helped guide Rory Abberton to CCAA Runner of the Year honors to give Chico State the individual champion in 13 of the last 14 seasons.
 
Their success also extends beyond the CCAA. Chico State has been ranked No. 1 in the West Region all season and reached No. 5 in the USTFCCCA national rankings.
 
This season, Chico has won three of its four races and placed second in the other to the No. 1 team in the country at the D2 Pre-National meet. Wildcat student-athletes have won CCAA Runner of the Week honors each week they competed.
 
Towne has now won 34 CCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in his career (18 men, 16 women).
 
The 2022 season will continue for coach Gary Towne and the Wildcats at the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Billings, Mont. 

2022 CCAA Men's Cross Country Awards
Runner of Year: Rory Abberton, Chico State
Newcomer of the Year: Ricardo Vargas, Cal Poly Pomona
Freshman of the Year: Cooper Freeman, Stan State
Coach of the Year: Gary Towne, Chico State
Elite 13 Award: Justin Matties, Cal State East Bay