After a rough season filled with injuries and wrestlers unable to perform due to ineligibility, coach Bill Kalivas and the Bakersfield College wrestling team are back this year to redeem themselves and have bigger goals in mind.

After finishing 10th in the state last season shorthanded on wrestlers, Kalivas believes his team can surpass what they accomplished last season and he has his mind set on achieving more this season.

“I’d like to think we can challenge for the conference this year and have a winning overall dual meet record,” said Kalivas.

“For the state, we finished 10th last year, and I’d like to crack the top five this year.”

If they are going to be a top-five state team this year and want to get back to their winning ways, they’re going to have to make sure what happens academically in the classroom doesn’t affect what the coach believes the team can do this season.

“Well, I think we kind of covered that with our work studies,” Kalivas said when asked if there was anything he can do to make sure wrestlers grades don’t affect the team.

The wrestling season hasn’t kicked off yet, but there is excitement around the team with this year’s wrestlers at full strength.  “We’ve only had a couple of losing seasons since I’ve been here,” Kalivas also added.

“I say, we have a balanced lineup, with a good mix of youth and experience.”

Kalivas also mentioned four key players when asked about players fans should watch for this year.

“Lance Castaneda, returning All American, Quinn Moore, who was ineligible last year, Max Ramirez, who was a state high school placement at Bakersfield High School, and Ryan Steiber who was a state qualifier two years ago,” he said.

The Renegades will start their season on Sept. 22 at the Mt. SAC duals.