By Esteban Ramirez

Sports Editor

After a disappointing 2014 season, California State University, Bakersfield’s track and field team is ready to redeem itself this year.

“We are definitely better than last year,” CSUB coach Marcia Mansur-Wentworth said. “Last year we were second to last in the conference. We only had one woman make the WAC finals and this year we think we have six women that can and should make the finals.

“Last year, the men’s team had four guys make the finals, so I’d like to see us get six guys in the finals this year. We have seen some improvements from some of the guys, so I think we are moving in the right direction.”

CSUB will start the season at the Northern Arizona Invitational on Jan. 24 at Flagstaff, Ariz.

Some of the key returners for the men’s team are: senior Bryan Wilmert, who is the defending Western Athletic Conference champion in the hammer throw and All-Conference in the shot put; senior Richie Maestre, who was All-Conference in the 400 hurdles and senior Karnell Grimes, who was All-Conference in the javelin throw. Some of the key returners for the women’s team are: sophomore Ariana Mariscal, who was All-Conference in the 800 meter run and senior Alyssa Page, who was a WAC finalist in the 400 meter outdoor run.

Mensur-Wentworth said that some of the key new comers are junior Tricia Cervantes, who will compete in the hurdles; sophomore Alisha Byrd, who will compete in the triple jump and freshman Jose Flores, who will compete in the high, long and triple jump. She said that the strength of the team this year has been the team chemistry, but she also added that the men throwers are also a strength of the team.

Maestre said he feels the team will be much improved this year.

“Just from the coaching, the recruitments we got from last year and some of the leader we got from last year I just see all around improvement,” Maestre said. “I’m really excited. This is my last year, so I’m just working really hard and staying on the grind. This is the last year I have, so I’m really excited to see how I do and I feel like I’m going to do well.

“I’m trying to make it to the Regional this year, and I want to place a little higher on the conference. Last year, I finished fifth, so this year I want to finish top three or hopefully get my times lower. If I keep working hard, I feel I can do it.”

Mariscal said she is excited for this year’s team and what they are going to do this year, and has set goals for herself and the team.

“I’m definitely aiming for a WAC position to hopefully win a WAC title for myself and as a team to gather the most points and to learn to compete together and to support each other,” Mariscal said. “I want us to just come together and support each other.”

Mensur-Wentworth added that she wants to see that they’re better than last year.

“We have so many new people that we are looking for some energy, and we brought in the people that have the kind of work ethic and the kind that want to be here and that is a big key they want to be here and believe in what we are doing,” she said.