BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield wrestling team will finish up their regular season this weekend at Cal Baptist on Friday, Feb. 9 and then on Sunday, Feb. 11 the `Runners will host PAC-12 rival Oregon State before competing in the PAC-12 Championships on Feb. 25.
The only like opponent for CBU (6-5) and CSUB is Stanford and both teams had very close defeats to the Cardinals when all three teams met for a tri-meet back on Nov. 11. The Lancers lost to Stanford 20-15 and the `Runners fell 18-16 to the Cardinals.
The dual against Oregon State on Sunday will give Bakersfield and CSUB the chance to honor and celebrate this group of three Seniors on Senior Day. But what a decorated group of three it is.
Coleman Hammond,
Sergio Mendez and
Matt Williams have all been ranked in the top 25 nationally at some point during their `Runners career.
Hammond, from Bakersfield, Calif, qualified for the NCAA Championships as a junior. Hammond has 84 career wins and that is 29
th all-time in 'Runners history and also has 11 pins in his career.
Mendez, from Arleta, Calif, has 61 career wins and 19 pins. Mendez's 19 pins are tied for 19
th in `Runners history.
Williams, from Apple Valley, Calif, qualified for the NCAA Championships as a junior and went 3-2. Williams is 26-5 so far this year and his .839 winning percentage is already good enough for 45
th best all-time in `Runners single season history. Williams has eight pins this season, tied for 38
th all time in 'Runners single season history. The senior also has 92 career wins, tied for 19
th all-time in `Runners history and is now tied for seventh all-time in 'Runners history with 29 pins.
Probables:
Mendez/
Alex Hernandez-Figueroa
Sean Nickell
Russell Rohlfing
Kalani Tonge
Hammond
Lorenzo De La Riva/
Jacob Thalin
Bryan Battisto
Dominic Ducharme
Williams
Mark Penyacsek
CSUB Wrestling Head Coach
Manny Rivera said, "It is always great to compete against another tough California team. CBU will be a good test for our squad. They are coming off a good weekend, recently winning the RMAC Championships. We need to be on top of our game against them. We are excited to return home
on Sunday and finish off our dual season against PAC 12 rival Oregon St. They beat us pretty good last season and we are looking to redeem ourselves against them on our senior night."
On Sunday, the CSUB wrestling team will be hosting a pre-match clinic. Brian Cobb, a two-time NCAA qualifier in his time with the `Runners and CSUB's current Director of Operations, will be running the free clinic. The clinic will be held from 4-5 p.m. and attendance at the free clinic will guarantee one free ticket for each young wrestler. The clinic is open to kids in high school and below.
