How about some love for the West?

Mario Giannini put together quite a performance at the Kim Duyst Invitational on Saturday, posting 23:31 across 8k. The Chico State junior muscled out a runner-up finish with a lean at the line to get Donavan Cheruiyot of UC Davis by two-tenths of a second. A common occurrence in track; a spectacle in cross country. 

The only soul Giannini couldn’t hang onto was Justin Petre of California, who crossed the line in 23:14.3. California was one of eight NCAA DI programs that the wildcats were tasked with taking down.

This marks the second time that a male athlete from Chico State has been named M-F National Athlete of the Week during the cross country season. Giannini joins Kyle Medina, who recorded the honors on September 18, 2017.