Assistant Sports Editor

Every high school athlete has a dream of playing a sport in college, whether it be division one or playing at a junior college.

Whether you get a scholarship or have to walk-on, playing a sport you love and representing a school at the same time can make anyone’s dream come true.

For senior Jazmyne Bartee, playing basketball and track & field was her dream and in her senior year at CSU Bakersfield, her dream has come true.

High jump was the first sport Bartee played. “I started in elementary school and I did it throughout junior high and high school,” said Bartee.

It all began in Chandler, Arizona where Bartee played at Chandler High School and she competed in basketball and track & field.

During her time in basketball, her team finished second in the state tournament during her sophomore year and fourth during her junior year.

In her senior year she led her team to the quarterfinals and was named first team All-state and defensive player of the year, according to gorunners.com.

In 2011-12 at Chandler High, she competed in high jump and shot put while her team were state and national champions in both years.

Bartee graduated high school in 2013 and first played her collegiate basketball career at University of Nevada Las Vegas for her freshman and sophomore year before transferring to CSUB.

After transferring from UNLV, Bartee had to sit out the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules, which she used as her redshirt year.

“It was two years of a really good person to be around. You could count on her to bring it everyday,” said CSUB women’s basketball Head Coach Greg McCall.

In her first season as a junior at CSUB, Bartee averaged 8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game. She was awarded WAC All-Defensive team and WAC All-Newcomer team.

In her senior year, Bartee averged 6.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. She helped led the Roadrunners to their first ever Western Athletic Conference Championship game, but fell short against Seattle University, 57-54.

Falling short in the finals for basketball and not getting a ring was a motivator for Bartee to go out to the track.

She talked with her former head coach Greg McCall, who coached her during basketball.

Bartee had one of her friends go and speak with the Director of Track and Field Marcia Mansur-Wentworth, who was more then happy to have Bartee join.

Bartee has made an immediate impact for the Roadrunners track & field team. She earned her first collegiate victory at the CSU Los Angeles Twilight Open.

She is having an impact while she is competing and while she is cheering on her teammates while they compete.

“She cheers really loud, she supports everyone while they are doing their events. It’s really nice to have someone that brings a lot of energy to the team,” said junior high jumper Tim Van Horn.

Currently with a season best jump of 5 feet 5 inches at the Titan Team Challenge, Bartee ranks third in the conference. She needs just two inches for a three-way tie for first place.

“I think she will go a lot higher. She’s and excellent competitor and excellent teammate,” said Mansur-Wentworth.

In shot put, she holds a season high mark of 35 feet and 10 inches or 10.92 meters at the Bulldog Invitational on April 28, according to tfrrs.org.

That mark ranks 12th in the WAC, she would need 12 more feet or 3.68 meters to be tied for first.

Bartee will have a chance to go for first and get that coveted ring she desires in the WAC Outdoor Championships in Lawrence, Kansas from May 9-12.