BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- The Roadrunner men faced a tough test on Tuesday as they hosted WAC foe UNLV at the Hillman Aquatics Complex. Despite being down a few key student-athletes due to injury, CSUB put up a good effort in a 177-116 loss to the Rebels.
“Injuries have struck the men,” said Chris Hansen, Bakersfield's Director of Swimming. “We were down Lovre Soric, Brett Emery can't swim everything, and Tyler Greenwald is out. We need to somehow get everybody healthy by Saturday.”
Despite missing those 'Runners, CSU Bakersfield had strong performances from other standout swimmers on Tuesday. Hansen praised two of his men in particular: “Mitchell Huxhold and Bryant Fascio were very good for the men. I believe that was Mitchell's fastest 500 without conference or arena.”
Huxhold (Sr., Escondido, Calif., San Pasqual HS) put up two wins for the men, taking the 500 free (4:35.54) with his third-fastest time of the year and the 1000 free (9:29.18) with a season best time in that event. “Before the meet, Mitchell told me that his arms felt very heavy, so, for him to swim that fast 'heavy', we're happy with that,” said Hansen. “This year, Mitchell's training camp was 100% on, so, going into Conference, it excites us to watch him go in mentally and physically strong.”
Fascio (Fr., Los Angeles, Calif. Rancho Cucamonga HS) finished third in both the 500 and 1000 free, picking up vital points for the 'Runners. The freshman continues to put up times that are impressive in his debut season.
Mihael Vukic (So., Zabok, Croatia, Louisville) did not put up a particularly fast time in the 100 fly, but certainly gave the UNLV fliers a run for their money. The sophomore came from behind and just missed beating Avi Cohen by .01. His time of 50.22 was just barely too slow to get a win, but he narrowly missed out on defeated a WAC Top 10 member in the event while beating the #1 ranked swimmer coming into the meet, Dillon Virva. “Mihael had a good swim, but he's better than that,” said Hansen. “When he finally gets it, he's probably one of the fastest 100 fliers in the country, but not until he grasps what we're telling him. We're all waiting for it. He's this close and I hope it happens in February. He has the potential to go to NCAAs.”
With the loss, the CSUB men's dual record slips to 4-2 on the season. The 'Runners will take on UC San Diego Saturday, Jan. 10, in Los Angeles. Hansen expects it to be a tall task for his team, but said that the men are motivated to defeat the Tritons who recently defeated WAC member Grand Canyon.
~www.GoRunners.com~
