TURLOCK, Calif. — The Stanislaus State Athletics Department is proud to announce that women's cross country standout Gianna Bomarito has been named a CalHOPE Courage Award honoree for the month of October. The award recognizes student-athletes from California colleges and universities who have overcome personal hardships and adversity to make a positive impact on their teams and communities.
A junior from Fresno, California, Bomarito has emerged as one of the top distance runners in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and a model of perseverance. She joined the Warriors program after a record-setting career at Sonoma State, where she broke multiple school records and earned CCAA Freshman of the Year honors in both cross country and track & field.
The CalHOPE Courage Award, presented monthly by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) in partnership with the Associated Press, CalHOPE (a program of the California Department of Health Care Services), and the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being, honors student-athletes who have demonstrated emotional resilience, courage, and leadership in facing mental health challenges.
Bomarito's journey is one of extraordinary strength and faith through what she describes as a "trifecta" of hardship. In early 2024, she was hospitalized with a rare autoimmune neurological condition, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), which left her temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. During her recovery, she endured the devastating loss of her mother to breast cancer, followed soon after by the news that Sonoma State would be discontinuing its intercollegiate athletics programs due to budget cuts.
"Gianna's journey this season is a true testament to faith and perseverance," said head coach Darren Holman. "After battling through injury, she never lost sight of her purpose or belief that God had a plan for her. Her commitment to doing the little things right, trusting the process, and uplifting her teammates has been inspiring to all of us. When Gianna is healthy and fit, she has the talent and mindset to be an All-American, but what really stands out is the strength of her spirit and the example she sets for others."
Through rehabilitation, the support of her family, and her deep faith, Bomarito regained her strength and renewed her passion for running. Transferring to Stanislaus State in Fall 2025 gave her a new beginning. Supported by coaches Darren Holman and Courtney Heiner, she rediscovered her confidence and competitive spirit.
"Every time I fell, someone was there to pick me up—my family, my friends, my faith," Bomarito said. "They reminded me that even the smallest words of encouragement can turn an entire day around."
The CalHOPE Courage Award will be officially announced the week of November 10. Bomarito will be featured across CalHOPE and CCAA platforms, sharing her story to inspire other student-athletes managing mental health challenges. The honor also includes a $1,000 donation to support mental health services for student-athletes, to be directed either to Stanislaus State Athletics or a related organization of her choice.
In conjunction with the award, CalHOPE will collaborate with Bomarito to produce a short video interview highlighting her message of courage, to be shared on social media. Fans are encouraged to follow @CalHOPE_Courage on Instagram for updates and video content.
A trophy presentation will take place later this fall, with details to be confirmed. Bomarito and the Warriors cross country team continue preparations for the upcoming NCAA Championship, carrying forward the same resilience and determination that earned her this prestigious recognition.
