Reporter

The CSU Bakersfield water polo team took a big step in the right direction last season and head coach Jason Gall hopes that 2016 will continue that trend.

“Last year, was one of our better years in the past few years,” said Gall.

The Roadrunners finished 12-17 and they beat UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego and Hartwick College, which are three of the top-20 teams last year.

“We hadn’t beaten top-20 teams in a couple years”, said Gall.

Junior goalkeeper Courtney Wahlstrom said they are definitely progressing forward.

“We had some really good wins and we had a lot of fun,” said Wahlstrom. “There was still some key mistakes that we made, we definitely could’ve won a few more games.”

Wahlstrom is originally from Palm Desert, California and has made 419 career saves as of 2015, the fourth most in CSUB history.

“My biggest saying is ‘great leaders influence great players,’” said redshirt junior Nicola Barrett.

Barrett, who is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, became the 18th CSUB player to score 100 career goals against San Jose State during the MPSF Tournament.

“I’m not there to be the one in front, I’m there to be behind them and push them forward,” said Barrett.

Barrett is a driver and the only left-handed player on the team.

“There is a lot more teamwork, no matter what the situation, if its’ in the pool or if its out the pool,” said Barrett.

CSUB started off its season with four matches on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17. The Roadrunners lost to CSU East Bay 12-9 on Jan. 16. Then later that day they beat Sonoma State 11-3. However, on Jan. 17, CSUB fell to UC Davis 11-5 and California 7-3.

“I think that there is definitely a higher level of experience and confidence going to our games,” said Gall. “We have a lot of depth this year, and that is definitely critical when you play four games in a weekend.”

As of the start of the season, CSUB has only won one of its four games.