A familiar name is at the top of the 2023 CCAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll as the coaches unanimously selected the Chico State Wildcats to win their 21st consecutive CCAA Conference Championship.
 
Chico received all nine first-place votes and 81 points to finish atop the poll. Cal Poly Pomona was second with 69 points, and Cal State San Marcos placed third with 61 points. The next three spots went to Stanislaus State (56), Cal Poly Humboldt (41), and Cal State East Bay (38). San Francisco State (26), Cal State Monterey Bay (23), and Cal State LA (11) completed the nine-team list.

 

2023 CCAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
Chico State (9)	81
Cal Poly Pomona	69
Cal State San Marcos	61
Stanislaus State	56
Cal Poly Humboldt	41
Cal State East Bay	38
San Francisco State	26
Cal State Monterey Bay	23
Cal State LA	11
First-place votes in parenthesis

Chico State earned its 20th consecutive CCAA Championship and sixth straight NCAA West Region title in 2022. It placed fifth at the NCAA Championships. Omar Alvarez-Hernandez, Joshua O'Neill, Daniel Hernandez, and Brayden McLaughlin return after starting the national championship race last season. Each has earned All-CCAA honors in their career, with McLaughlin being named the 2021 CCAA Newcomer and Runner of the Year. The Wildcats and 14-time consecutive CCAA Coach of the Year Gary Towne will return nine additional letterwinners. Chico State roster
 
Cal Poly Pomona made up half of the 2023 CCAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Watchlist (returning 2022 All-CCAA performers). Leandro Candray, Daniel Echeveste, Vincent Sarino, and Ricardo Vargas return for the Green & Gold and are on the Preseason Watchlist after placing in the top 15 at the CCAA Championships. CPP finished second at the conference championships and placed fifth at the NCAA West Regional. It sent Vargas to the NCAA National Championships as an individual. The 2022 CCAA Newcomer of the Year will return to the Broncos along with 14 more letterwinners. Cal Poly Pomona roster
 
Cal State San Marcos earned 61 points in the poll after placing third or better at the CCAA Championships for the fifth consecutive season. Last year, it put three runners in the top 18 and finished with 105 points. The Cougars advanced to the NCAA West Regional and finished ninth. Their top runner at the regional, Nick Melanese, returns along with numerous letterwinners. Cal State San Marcos roster
 
The preseason poll also reflected Stanislaus State's 2022 finish. The Warriors placed fourth at the CCAA Championships and 14th at the regional. 2021 All-CCAA selection Jose Garcia and 2022 CCAA Freshman of the Year Cooper Freeman are expected to pace a group of six returners. Stanislaus State roster
 
Cal Poly Humboldt brings back 17 letterwinners to a team that placed fifth at CCAA's and 12th at regionals. Their fifth-place finish was the Lumberjacks' best since 2015. Cal Poly Humboldt roster
 
Cole McKain returns for his junior season to lead Cal State East Bay. He was named to the 2023 CCAA Preseason Watchlist and is one of 12 returners for the Pioneers. Cal State East Bay roster
 
San Francisco State closed out 2022 strong, finishing 11th at the regional. They will bring back three runners from the regional. San Francisco State roster
 
Five runners will return for Cal State Monterey Bay this season. Cal State Monterey Bay roster
 
Cal State LA completed the poll. Cal State LA roster
 
The USTFCCCA released its preseason regional rankings on Tuesday, Aug. 28, and the CCAA had three teams listed among the top 10. Chico State led the way at No. 1, with Cal Poly Pomona holding the No. 5 spot. Cal State San Marcos came in at No. 9. Click here to see the complete USTFCCCA regional poll
 
The USTFCCCA national rankings also featured a pair of CCAA teams. Chico State is at No. 5 after placing fifth at the 2022 Championships. Cal Poly Pomona begins the season at No. 22. Click here to see the complete Division II national rankings.
 
Teams will open their 2023 season this weekend at various meets throughout the state. Cal State Monterey Bay and Stanislaus State will begin their seasons on Friday. Three more teams will start on Saturday. Click here to see a listing of the 2023 CCAA Cross Country schedule.
 
All nine teams will come together to compete for the 2023 CCAA Cross Country Championships, hosted by Cal State East Bay, on Oct. 21 at the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont, Calif. This will be the first meet of the postseason with NCAA West Regionals following two weeks later (Nov. 4) in Monmouth, Ore.
 

CCAA Preseason Watchlist (returning All-CCAA selections)
Omar Alvarez-Hernandez	Chico State
Leandro Candray	Cal Poly Pomona
Daniel Echeveste	Cal Poly Pomona
Daniel Hernandez	Chico State
Cole McKain	Cal St. East Bay
Brayden McLaughlin	Chico State
Vincent Sarino	Cal Poly Pomona
Ricardo Vargas	Cal Poly Pomona