BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With only three weeks to go before the final Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, the CSU Bakersfield track and field team has one final tune-up to prepare for the league meet. The Roadrunners will tackle the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Fresno State on Saturday, Apr. 23.
“The men's team continues to be led by sophomores Joselito Flores in the high jump and Alec Benavides in the javelin,” said Marcia Mansur-Wentworth, Director of Track and Field for the 'Runners. “On the women's side, Tricia Cervantes continues to close in on her goal of earning a fourth All-WAC honor in the multi events and will compete in the 100-meter hurdles and jumps this weekend.”
Joining Flores and Benavides for the 'Runner men will be junior transfer Justin McKinley, who set a new personal best in the high jump with a second-place finish at the Cal State LA Twilight Open last week. Mansur-Wentworth also highlighted sophomore Tristan Watson and freshman Gabe Gaeta, who have both performed well in the hurdles.
Redshirt junior Emmett Wirtz and freshman Luis Mendez will continue to throw as Mansur-Wentworth expressed pride in their work: “Luis and Emmett are making excellent progress in the throws this season.”
Besides Cervantes' busy weekend, the rest 'Runner women will have a full schedule as well. Redshirt senior Madison Bundy will continue to throw the javelin. “Madison has shown great success in the javelin despite only learning the event this year," Mansur-Wentworth said. "The All-WAC softball player has made a great transition in a very short time.”
Also throwing on Saturday will be Bakersfield native Alicia Torres. The senior who transferred from Bakersfield College last year will tackle the shot put as she searches for a second All-WAC honor in the event. Sophomore Angel Valdez will compete in her second 3,000-meter race as she prepares to attempt the 10,000 at the WAC Outdoor Championships.
Alisha Byrd will compete in the triple jump and 100-meter hurdles while Susannah Vera will continue to take on the high jump and will join Byrd in the hurdles. Redshirt junior Marina Emhoff will run in the 400-meter dash while Taevionna Wilson will take on the 100 and 200. “Marina and Taevionna will be the core of both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays at the conference meet,” said Mansur-Wentworth.
Live results for Saturday will be available and a link can be found on the CSUB track and field schedule page. Full results and a recap from the Bulldog Invitational will be posted Saturday night after the meet. For a tentative schedule of events, click here.
~GoRunners.com~
