BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Roadrunner track and field and cross country alumni Bianca and Alejandra (AJ) Frausto have continued to stay close to home and embrace a new side of the sport. In their spare time away from their professional careers, the Fraustos have made their marks on the local athletics community.

 After graduating from CSUB a few years ago, the Frausto twins teamed up once again, this time as cross country coaches at local Highland High School. The sisters were named 2023 BVarsity Cross Country Coaches of the Year alongside colleague Adam Dawson in January of this year.

The trio led the Scots to South Yosemite Valley League and Central Section Division 2 titles and a 19th-place finish in the CIF State Championships.  

During their time as `Runners, the twins made it on the CSUB all-time list in the 10,000-meter race. In 2022, Bianca became #5 all-time with a time of 37:33.77. AJ still ranks #7 with a time of 38:04.10 set in 2018. The pair rank Top-20 all-time for CSUB in the 3,000m and the 5,000m. They also rank Top-10 for the 6K race in Cross Country, all accomplished underneath CSUB Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Marcia Mansur-Wentworth.

Q & A With the Frausto Sisters –

How has it been coaching with your twin sister? 

AJ: I have enjoyed coaching with my sister. We have a similar coaching philosophy and it makes it easy.  

Bianca: Coaching with my sister has been a treat. AJ and I were coached by mostly the same coaches and ran the same events throughout college, making this experience smooth. I feel like we did not have a hard time agreeing on workouts and mileage for the kids. I feel like coaching is where we get to find our bonding time while also being a part of a sport we both love. As we have adulted and grown apart, working in two different agencies, it is difficult to find any sister time. When this opportunity was given to me, I did not hesitate to say “yes”. I love running, spending time with my sister, and coaching hard-working athletes. 

What did Coach Marcia teach you/inspire you in your coaching philosophy? 

AJ: Coach taught me the importance of finding your athletes where they’re at and modifying workouts to build confidence. She taught me the importance of humanizing an athlete and supporting their mental health. This is critical to the track and field world because we know that it’s a 90% mental game. It is important for me to build my athletes' confidence and self-esteem both on and off the field. 

Bianca: After being under Marica’s coaching for years I have learned so much about both running and life. During my time as an athlete, CoachMarcia had this philosophy of meeting me where I was at in my training level and building my endurance up from there. I learned how to work up to running a lot of miles without pushing myself into an injury. I also learned how to find my running confidence on my own and not tie it into mileage. I carry this approach with the kids I work with by helping them learn the importance of taking care of our bodies and confidence. In my long athletic career with Marcia, I learned the value of cross-training to prevent injuries. I also learned how hard athletic injuries are on the mental health of athletes. Coach Marcia was always supportive and provided check-ins during those dark times. I also do that with my athletes, I will sit with them while they do their bike workout and come up with a game plan on how to get back into shape. Lastly, Marcia always taught me to trust the process; this applies to life and running. I try to implement that into my work with the youth and remind them to work hard and be patient. 

How would you summarize your time as a student-athlete at CSUB?  

AJ: I had an amazing experience as a student-athlete at CSUB. I was provided with so much support both in my career and my sports.  

Bianca: My time as a student-athlete at CSUB was nothing short of a home. I felt supported throughout my journey by coaches and staff. When something great happened, I would get congratulated on the way to the coach's office. CSUB staff was my support system during bad times and good times. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing. 

What does it mean to you to have graduated from CSUB? 

AJ: I am extremely grateful and proud of graduating from Cal State Bakersfield and being able to serve my community. 

Bianca: I think graduating from CSUB has made its impact on me even more now as an alum than when I was a student-athlete. During my time as a student, I loved competing for my hometown. I had so much pride in CSUB as a small Division I university. We were a “small fish in a big pond”. As an adult working in the community, I feel a sense of connection to my hometown. In the city of Bakersfield, many children are the first-generation individuals with the opportunity to go to a 4-year university without worrying about leaving home. CSUB provides so many resources to disadvantaged individuals whose lives will change with a college degree. I am honored to have graduated from a university that provides our community with so many opportunities. Being a CSUB grad to me means creating hope in our schools, homes, and families. 

What are you currently doing as a career/job? 

AJ: I am currently a Behavioral Health Therapist working for Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in the substance use disorder division.  

Bianca: I currently work as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist for a county agency. I provide mental health services to foster youths and some families. I love the work I do and truly feel like I make a difference. 

How did the track and field/cross country program prepare you foryour future career? 

AJ: The sport has taught me the importance of working hard for what I want. I also learned the importance of working on a team and how to manage several different personalities to obtain the same team goal. 

Bianca: I felt well-prepared for my career after doing sports for years. In my career, we prioritize mental health just like in sports. Often, I will utilize the analogy of sports to educate on the importance of mental health. For example, if you were running and hurt your foot you would go to physical therapy. Just like our body needs therapy in moments of distress, so does our minds. 

~GoRunners.com~