BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- Behind a well-rounded performance, the CSU Bakersfield women's swimming and diving teams earned a victory over Cal Baptist on Saturday. The Roadrunners took the dual by a score of 163-137 at the Hillman Aquatics Complex and leaned on the performances of several of their key student-athletes. Nine different Roadrunners placed either first or second in at least one of their individual events, giving CSUB the points it needed to win.
“I thought it would be closer for the women,” said Chris Hansen, Bakersfield's Director of Swimming. “Paola Hernandez and Carlee Burks continued their winning streaks and it's nice to have Michaela Paige back from an injury. She's not in the best shape yet, but she managed to win some events.” After a strong set of performances at the A3 Performance Invitational, the Roadrunners had some time off from competition and worked hard in their training camp.
Hernandez (So., Lompoc, Calif., Cabrillo HS) got the 'Runners going early on with a win in the 200 free (1:54.03) while teammate Kelsey Lange (Jr., San José, Calif., Santa Teresa HS) placed second (1:57.31). In the 100 free, Hernandez picked up her second win of the day in a time of 52.55 while Lange again picked up second-place points for the 'Runners (54.00). Hernandez continued her winning ways, picking up nine points in the 200 IM (2:10.24) and, in the next event, would lead the 'Runner 400 free relay team to a victory.
The CSUB relay team of Paige, Lauren Kaufman (Sr., Renton, Wash., TCU), Lange, and Hernandez finished first with a time of 3:34.91. Paige also picked up a couple of individual wins in the 200 fly (2:07.11) and the 500 free (5:07.51). Delise Batiza (Sr., San Ramon, Calif., Oregon State) swam well for the 'Runners, winning the 1000 free (10:31.20), placing second in the 200 back (2:07.80), and finishing third in the 200 fly (2:08.64). Her times in the 200 fly and the 1000 free were season-bests for the senior Roadrunner.
Burks (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) led the 'Runners in the diving events, winning on both boards. She scored 257.02 points in the 1m and 251.70 points in the 3m. In the 1m, Burks and her teammates Sarah Barker (Jr., Indianapolis, Ind., Saint Bonaventure) and Melissa Gore (So., Taft, Calif., Taft Union HS) completed a 1-2-3 sweep in the event in that order.
“Our women's numbers are down, so, to win with such low numbers was kind of nice," said Hansen. The Roadrunner women (3-3) will not return to competition until after the New Year. CSU Bakersfield will take on San José State at home on Jan. 2.
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