The crack of the bat, the leap over hurdles and the swing of the racket: These are all signs that the second half of the sports season has begun at Bakersfield College.
BC has eight teams that compete in the Western State Conference during the second half of the school year, with men and women’s basketball resuming from the fall calendar.
The women’s basketball team got off to a slow start, but head coach Paula Dahl was all smiles during its Jan. 30 win against Glendale. The team reached the 100-point mark for the first time in two years.
“We were running the floor really well. We were playing with a lot of confidence. I’m very pleased,” Dahl said after the game.
A cold snap in the weather department at the end of January has not cooled the spirits of the BC baseball and softball teams. BC opened its season by hosting the Klassen corporation tournament from Feb. 1 through 3 at Gerry Collis Field. The Renegades finished the tournament strong by beating Taft.
The ‘Gades return two starting pitchers from last year’s squad, which finished the season 20-23, as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player, outfielder Sean Alexander.
Sophomores Sean Sorrow, an honorable mention all-division selection from last season, and Ryan Mask are two of the most experienced pitchers on the team, which consists of 17 freshmen.
The ‘Gades will host the BC Light Brigade tournament at Gerry Collis Field Feb. 22 to 24 before beginning their league season against Glendale on Feb. 28 at Glendale. The two teams will play again on March 2 at Gerry Collis Field.
The BC women’s softball team brings solid coaching and talent into the 2002 season after finishing last year 24-17-1 (14-7,WSC).
Sandi Taylor, the 1997 WSC coach of the year, begins her 12th season as BC head coach. The ‘Gades will play at home in a three-team tournament on Saturday against El Camino and College of the Sequoias.
After another home game on Tuesday against Rio Hondo, they will play in the BC Classic on Feb. 22 to 24 at North Rosedale Park.
The BC men’s tennis team will try to build on its success from last year when it ended the season ranked 15th in the state.
Head coach Rob Slaybaugh will have 14 players representing 10 different local high schools competing on the team this season. Slaybaugh is in his 14th year as head coach.
Keith Hinds is beginning his first year as head coach for the women’s tennis team.
He coached West High School’s varsity boys’ team in 1998. He also was a tennis professional in Ventura, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich., before arriving in Bakersfield.
Playing on the women’s squad are Shanna Kwock, Brenda O’ Doherty, Crystal Hageman and Sarah Fear. They will host Glendale College on Tuesday, Citrus College on Feb. 14 and Santa Monica on Feb. 19.
There are positions available for additional players who have had high school varsity tennis experience, Hinds said.
Stability and youth are the adjectives to best describe the BC women’s track and field teams.
Head coach Pam Kelley, who is also the women’s cross country coach, returns for her 20th season.
The ‘Gades have only two sophomores on the team for the 2002 season, but they gain experience with athletes coming from the cross country team.
Kelley says the team will be strong in the running events this season. In the pole vault, Anna Bliss from Stockdale High School and Renae Rollo from Taft have both cleared 9 feet, 6 inches. Megan Clutters will be strong in the throws, Kelley said.
The men’s track and field team has won the WSC conference title 10 out of the last 11 years.
Bob Covey returns for his 39th season as head coach and will have some experienced athletes.
Upcoming events include four WSC meets. The meets are scheduled for Feb. 14 at BC; Feb. 23 at Cerritos; March 1 at BC; and March 8 at BC.