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Dennis Hubbard

Women's Golf

`Runner Golfers Preparing to Start 2020-21 Season

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield Athletics Department is excited to announce the Roadrunner women's golf team will be returning to competition. After the Fall portion of the golf team's schedule was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the `Runners have anxiously awaited this day and the squad plans to kick off the 2020-21 season next week.

"We are obviously thrilled to have the opportunity to compete this spring," said Meghan Thomason, CSUB's Director of Golf. "I think I speak for the whole team when I say that we are happy to be experiencing our version of 'normal', meaning having a routine and going to practice every day and working toward a goal as a team again."

Just like the rest of the CSUB Athletics teams that are currently competing, the `Runner golf team will be required to follow strict procedures and policies, ensuring the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, and staff involved. These restrictions also help guarantee that CSUB Athletics is contributing to the improvement of Kern County's health climate.

With golf already being a socially-distant sport that takes place outdoors, Thomason said that her `Runners have been able to continue training on their own while most athletes were forced to pause: "They have been fortunate to be able to play and practice over the past year. I think golf became a really nice escape for a lot of people over the past year."

Thomason and the `Runners have a full spring schedule lined up with trips planned for most of their regular spring tournaments. CSUB's 2020-21 season will officially kick off next Monday when the `Runners co-host the Valley Invitational with Cal Poly here in Bakersfield on Feb. 8 and 9. Bakersfield Country Club will host the two-day, 36-hole tournament, but due to COVID-19 concerns, spectators will not be permitted to attend the Invite.

Coach Thomason assessed her squad's mental state heading into this unprecedented season: "I think staying motivated to continue to practice was difficult not knowing if we would get to tee it up this year. The team has been able to continue practicing on their own, which is much more than a lot of other teams at CSUB have been able to do. But even the individual tournaments they had hoped to play got canceled. I think knowing the day we would get to play again was hopefully approaching kept them going throughout winter. And the team knows it will be a dog fight during qualifying this spring and the most prepared will get to play."

The `Runners return a highly-experienced group including three women all back for their fifth years with the program: Brandi Borjon, Macey Mills, and Vanessa Watkins. CSUB's roster also features another pair of seniors in Bakersfield natives Allie Crawley and Kaleigh Irey. In total, this Bakersfield squad brings nearly 200 rounds of competitive experience at the NCAA Division I level.

"Our older players know what to expect and what's expected of them on a daily basis and when we are competing," Thomason added. "They'll be able to help the younger players along when it comes to the nuances of travel, practice rounds, and just the life of a college student-athlete in general. I'm really happy that Macey and Brandi decided to return to finish off their college careers. They're a huge asset from a competitive and leadership perspective."

Thomason's five seniors will continue mentoring sophomore Gillian Galicia, who gained valuable experience during the 2019-20 season. Rounding out the CSUB roster this year are a pair of freshmen in Meredith McDougal and Christy Mae Saban.

For the full 2020-21 schedule, visit this page. Stay tuned to @CSUB_WGolf on Twitter for the most up-to-date information.

~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Brandi Borjon

Brandi Borjon

5' 8"
Senior
Allie Crawley

Allie Crawley

5' 5"
Senior
Gillian Galicia

Gillian Galicia

5' 2"
Sophomore
Kaleigh Irey

Kaleigh Irey

5' 3"
Senior
Macey Mills

Macey Mills

5' 6"
Senior
Vanessa Watkins

Vanessa Watkins

5' 8"
Redshirt Senior
Christy Mae Saban

Christy Mae Saban

5' 6"
Freshman
Meredith McDougal

Meredith McDougal

5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Brandi Borjon

Brandi Borjon

5' 8"
Senior
Allie Crawley

Allie Crawley

5' 5"
Senior
Gillian Galicia

Gillian Galicia

5' 2"
Sophomore
Kaleigh Irey

Kaleigh Irey

5' 3"
Senior
Macey Mills

Macey Mills

5' 6"
Senior
Vanessa Watkins

Vanessa Watkins

5' 8"
Redshirt Senior
Christy Mae Saban

Christy Mae Saban

5' 6"
Freshman
Meredith McDougal

Meredith McDougal

5' 9"
Freshman
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