By John Hernandez and Johnathan Wheatley

The CSU Bakersfield men’s wrestling team officially kicks off its season on November 1 when the team welcomes Life Pacific University and San Francisco State University to the Icardo Center on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

“We’re looking to be offensive and score a lot of points. This is a good opportunity to start the season and really display everything we’ve worked on this offseason,” said head coach Manny Rivera.

CSUB finished last season with an overall 6-10 record and went 1-3 in conference play. The Roadrunners finished third last season at the Pac-12 championships and 33 at the NCAA championships.

Sean Nickell and Russell Rohlfing were the only ones to represent CSUB as individuals at the NCAA championships.

Nickell finished the season with a 24-12 record while Rohlfing went 22-12 on the year. Both will be looking to go back to the NCAA championships for a third time in a row.

“I didn’t accomplish my goal. I’m still hungry, I’m just as driven if not more driven and ready to surprise some people,” said Rohlfing on his NCAA finish.

Nickell finished third at the Pac-12 championships last season and going into the this season he is ranked 17 in the country at the 133-pound weight by InterMat.com and 12 in the country by Trackwrestling.com.

“Last year I was ranked 24 and finished 16. So rank 12 this year, it’s not making me think I’m going to be top 12,” said Nickell

On Nov. 18, the Runners will be holding the Roadrunner Open. CSUB will compete with others schools during the Roadrunner Open.

The regular season will end for the Roadrunners in March of 2019. The Roadrunners  travel to Arizona State for the Pac-12 championships on March 9.

The NCAA Championships are to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the PPG Paints Arena on March 21-23.