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Mascaro Kaelin Big West

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Kaelin, Mascaro Named Big West Scholar Athletes of the Year

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced the 22 individuals named Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year on Tuesday. Vivi Kaelin (beach volleyball) and Nick Mascaro (baseball) were each recognized as Cal State Bakersfield's award winners. Two student-athletes from each institution – one male and one female – were honored by their institutions and the conference for their accomplishments in competition, in the classroom and in their communities. 

Kaelin graduated from CSUB as the beach volleyball program's all-time leader in career wins (76), most wins in a season (28), and longest win streak (17). The native of Lake Oswego, Ore. did all of that, and earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, in just three years. Kaelin is a two-time First Team All-Big West honoree and earned the same number of AVCA Top Flight recognitions. Outside of competition, Kaelin was active across the board, serving two years as President of the CSUB Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as time as a member of the Big West Undivided Board. She committed 78 hours of community service across three years at CSUB, serving organizations/initiatives like Mother's Against Drunk Driving, ShePower, and National Girls & Women in Sports Day. 

For all of her accomplishments, Kaelin was recognized at one time or another as the CSUB Athletics Female Athlete of the Year and earned the President's Award, the top honor given to a CSUB student-athlete each year. The words of Kaelin's coach, Andy Fulenwider, summarize her standout contribution in her time as a `Runner: "Vivi's hard work and dedication is a direct reflection of her character as a person and translates not only to her record-breaking success on the court, but in the classroom as well."

Mascaro also spent three years in Bakersfield following his junior college transfer. In that time, the outfielder navigated a coaching change and became the only `Runner named Team Captain in the first two seasons under the helm of current Head Coach Jordon Banfield, who speaks at the highest level of Mascaro: "Arriving here as a new head coach, Nick immediately displayed a level of trust and buy-in towards myself and my staff that's very hard to find. A top-notch student who is now completing his MBA, Nick consistently led from the front on and off the field. His commitment to the team left a mark on the program that will be felt for years to come and led to him being named my first and only Captain at CSUB."

In his first season in Bakersfield, Mascaro endured an injury and had to sit the year out following surgery. He utilized that time well, serving an internship with the CSUB Athletics Marketing staff. When he returned to competition, Mascaro became a regular fixture of the CSUB outfield, leading the `Runners in batting average (.298) in 2025 and pacing the squad with 32 walks in 2026. Mascaro completed a bachelor's degree at CSUB in 2025 and began working on an MBA, which he intends to finish in the upcoming year. In his three years in Bakersfield, the Mascaro has served 123 hours of community service, lending him time to initiatives like Bakersfield Angels, ShePower, Taft Garden, and Stroke Walk.

To support future `Runners in their quests to become standout scholar-athletes, become a member of the Roadrunner Club today by visiting GoRunners.com/give.

~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Nick Mascaro

#22 Nick Mascaro

OF
6' 3"
Graduate Student
L/R
Vivi Kaelin

#14 Vivi Kaelin

5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Nick Mascaro

#22 Nick Mascaro

6' 3"
Graduate Student
L/R
OF
Vivi Kaelin

#14 Vivi Kaelin

5' 9"
Junior
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