BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The 2016 track and field season kicks off for the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners when the women's indoor squad heads to Flagstaff, Ariz., Friday, Jan. 22. The 'Runners will take on the Friday Night Duals hosted by Northern Arizona.
“This is our first meet of the season,” said Marcia Mansur-Wentworth, Director of Track and Field for CSUB. “I am looking to see who competes well and responds to the challenge. Everything we do will help us prepare for the WAC Championships. It's early in the year and I want to see how our student-athletes respond. I look at this as a building process and what we can learn for the future. Most of the team has been working very hard and I'm impressed with the efforts I see in practice.”
CSU Bakersfield will face off against several familiar foes at the Friday Night Duals: Cal State Fullerton, NM State, Pepperdine, UNLV, and host Northern Arizona.
Setting the pace for the 'Runners, according to Mansur-Wentworth, will be team captain Tricia Cervantes: “Tricia will lead the way, competing in the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, and long jump. She is a two-time All-Conference performer in the multi events. She is CSUB's number three all-time in the heptathlon as well as on the all-time list in the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and high jump.” The native of Beaumont, Calif. will lead the 'Runners in her senior season.
Joining Cervantes will be sophomore Susannah Vera, who will also compete in the 60-meter hurdles and the high jump. Vera is on CSUB's Top 20 list for high jumpers and looks to make a difference again for the 'Runners. Redshirt junior Marina Emhoff, fresh off a successful first season with the CSUB cross country team, will sprint in the 200- and 400-meter races.
CSU Bakersfield expects a great track season out of sophomore Angel Valdez. The native of Bakersfield just completed one of the best cross country seasons in recent 'Runner history, ranking herself fifth all-time in the 6k race and sixth in the 5k. Valdez will tackle the 3000m on Friday, another event she is ranked all-time for the 'Runners. CSUB's other team captain, Tori Blackmon, will also run in the 3000m.
The Roadrunners took a hit when the team decided three-time All-Conference runner Ariana Mariscal should sit out the indoor season with an injury. Mansur-Wentworth and the 'Runners hope that Bakersfield's top middle distance runner will be ready for outdoor season.
The CSUB throwers will also get their first chance of the season to compete as senior Alicia Torres, an All-Conference shot putter, and sophomore Micaiah Lugo will both take on the weight throw. Torres will also throw in the shot put this weekend.
The 'Runners will compete Friday afternoon and evening with the men's shot put kicking off the meet at 3 p.m. For a full schedule of events, visit this link. For live stats from the NAU Friday Night Duals, click here. Check back at GoRunners.com for a full recap and results after the event.
~GoRunners.com~
