BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The last home match/dual/meet, whatever sport a collegiate athlete is participating in, is always bittersweet. First, you are excited knowing a conference competition is right around the corner and you get to show off the hard work you have put in, not just during the season, but also the off season. But if you are a senior, THIS IS IT.
And that is exactly what five men and three women CSU Bakersfield swimming and diving athletes will be experiencing on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the John S. Hillman Aquatic Center in Bakersfield.
The `Runners will host UC Santa Cruz on Saturday, in their last meet before going to the Western Athletic Conference Championships in Houston, TX from Feb. 21-24.
"This last meet is always bitter sweet for me because it is the last meet with my seniors" said
Chris Hansen, CSUB's Director of Men's and Women's Swimming. "
Joe Cobarrubias,
Lovre Soric,
Steven Valiente,
Mario Vasquez, and
Audrey Willoughby have been with this program for all four years and have been a tremendous reason for the success of this program.
Matt Ramos transferred in his sophomore year, but was not a stranger to CSUB having grown up swimming on various clubs at CSUB. Matt has seen and helped not only CSUB but Roadrunner Aquatics grow to where it is now. Transfers
Gabi Liedy and
Donna Rotella feel like they have been with us since day one and have been a positive addition to this program."
On Senior Day, no one thinks of the coaches. It is always about the kids and that is exactly what the coaches want. But trust me, this is a bittersweet moment for the coaching staff as well. They have seen these young men and women grow up, mature and are now ready for the real world. So it is a tough day for all and usually there is not a dry eye in the house.
Hansen went on to add, "UCSC is always a fun meet. We can swim some off events, as well as see some last minute races, so we can decide who will swim what events and relays at the WAC Championships. Besides honoring our seniors,
Julio Alcantar,
Wyatt Suburu,
Shane Triplett,
Elma Spahic,
Kiana Dorris,
Suzanne Westbrook,
Sydney Garvy and
Taylor Budshaw will be rested and trying to swim season best times. We hope to have a big crowd for our seniors!"
The meet on Saturday will start at 12 p.m. and admission is free.
