Pre-seaon notes II: Chico State welcomes hot shot recuit; Metro State loses top-flight coach

Chico State, the West Coast's pre-eminent D2 cross program (Alaska-Anchorage, anyone?) landed quite a recruit in Issac Chavez, an 8:57 two-miler. He'll be a name to remember on Chico's roster.

Chavez finished 14th out of 25 starters at USAT&F Junior Nats in the 5,000m, coming across the line in 15:17. Hopefully we'll get an ever better idea of his promise (and Chico's) at the Stanford Invitation on Sept. 26. But it'll be hard to replicate the win by ex-Chico Stater Scott Bauhs against that deep field.

After re-starting a program in a tough D2 conference, Metro State (Colo.) coach Pete Julian has left for Washington State. Julian's recently coached Anthony Luna, the reigning indoors and outdoors 800m outdoors champ. And Julian is on the record as being foreigner-averse, so don't look for a return to the Henry Rono days at Wazoo. Here's hoping the next Metro State coach will take up the charge and get the Roadrunners a track.