By Andrea Flores
Contributing Writer
California State University, Bakersfield wrestlers are excited to start their 2014-2015 season this weekend.
On Oct. 10, the team will have its first official day of practice and will begin preparing for the first dual of the season. On Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. in the Small Gym the team will host its annual Blue and Gold Dual where two teammates of each weight class wrestle off for the starting position for their respective weight.
Last season the team placed 5th overall in the Pacific-12 Conference Championship, and also had a few wrestlers place top three in there weight class; Ian Nickel placed 2nd at the 133 weight class, Reuben Franklin placed 3rd at 197 and Bryce Hammond placed 1st at 174. Hammond placing 1st in his weight class qualified him to move on to the NCAA Championship where he became an All-American finishing in 8th place. Hammond is the first wrestler since 2010 to be an All-American.
“I am so excited to start official practice because I’ve noticed from my past seasons when official practice starts the intensity level just goes up for everyone,” said senior Reuben Franklin. “Our coaches drill us harder, my teammates practice stronger and all the training we did during offseason pays off.”
During the summer, practice is not mandatory for the team, and the coaching staff offers open room hours for the team to go in and practice individually. This gives them a chance to improve in any specific area, and according to Franklin almost every teammate is present day after day. Franklin’s goals for this season are to place 1st in the Pac-12 tournament and qualify for the NCAA Championship.
“This year I feel like this team is stronger, more experienced and more determined than any other year I’ve been on the team,” said senior heavyweight Steven Wood. “Last season we saw Bryce All-American, and it made us all realize we can do it too. If we work harder and stay disciplined, I know we will have more NCAA qualifiers this year.”
He said the hardest part of wrestling is not being your own worst enemy. Wood also hopes to win the Pac-12 Championship and qualify for the NCAA Championship. He also would like to win a dual match by pinning an opponent. He says it would be the perfect way to finish his career as a Division I collegiate wrestler.
“I’m fortunate to be in the position that I’m in,” said head coach Mike Mendoza. “The community and alumni is so supportive of the program and I’m extremely thankful.”
Coach Mendoza said he expects the first dual to be a packed house.
The team will host five home meets this season against Stanford University, University of Northern Colorado, Brown University, San Francisco State University, and California Baptist University. The season will conclude with the Pac-12 Championship in Corvallis, Oregon and those who place 1st in their weight will continue onto the final competition of the season where they will compete against the top wrestlers of the country for the shot to become an All-American in the NCAA Championship.
