The defending state champion Bakersfield College wrestling team is currently ranked second in the state after a second-place finish at the Santa Ana Tournament on Oct. 9. Santa Ana beat BC 120.5-109, and it is currently ranked first in the state.
BC’s Miguel Gutierrez, the 2003 state champion in the 149-pound weight class, took first place in the 157-pound weight class at Santa Ana. He also was first at the Sacramento and the Golden West tournaments.
Other Sacramento Tournament winners for the ‘Gades included Joe Espejo, Gilbert Carrilo, Jason Points and Matt Maldonado.
Despite some injuries and losing their first place ranking, Gutierrez feels the team can come back.
“I think we have a good enough team that we’ll pull through,” Gutierrez said.
As a team, BC won the Sacramento Tournament, which is one of the toughest competitions of the season, according to Gutierrez.
BC will compete at the West Valley Tournament in Saratoga on Saturday and will take on Moorpark in a dual match at home at 7 p.m. Nov. 3.
Cross Country
BC is still in the race for the Western State Conference title after a much-needed second place finish on Tuesday. Conference rival Ventura won the meet with a score of 62, while the ‘Gades finished with 70 points.
BC’s Brittany Grimes was the overall individual winner with a time of 18 minutes 8 seconds on a three-mile course, beating the next closest runner by 31 seconds.
The team’s next meet is at 11 a.m. today at Mt. San Antonio College.
Soccer
The ‘Gades lost to L.A. Valley 2-0 at home Tuesday after missing several scoring opportunities, ending a six-game unbeaten streak.
Before that loss, BC had won five and tied one.
On Oct. 8, BC beat the two-time defending Western State Conference South Division champions L.A. Pierce 1-0 with a late goal by Jessica Ramirez. BC’s freshman goalkeeper Leah Mau had seven saves in the shutout.
The ‘Gades and another WSC rival, College of the Canyons, played to a scoreless tie Oct. 5. Mau had three saves. The ‘Gades current record is 5-3-3, and they are 3-1-1 in the conference. Their next match is at Citrus at 4 p.m. today.
Volleyball
The Renegades swept Oxnard College on Tuesday with scores of 30-17, 30-18, and 30-14. Lilly Banks had nine kills and two aces, and Ashley Mills added three aces and 19 assists in the victory.
On Oct. 8, BC lost at home to non-conference foe Santa Barbara City College.
Doneice Woody contributed with 10 kills and 12 digs, and Melani Gibson had nine kills in the loss.
The ‘Gades lost to Moorpark College in four games Oct. 5 with scores of 28-30, 30-22, 30-23, 30-23. Toni Alvarez contributed with 11 kills and three blocks, and Jill Renyolds added nine kills and four digs in the non-conference loss.
The team has an overall record of 7-4 and hosts Ventura at Gil Bishop Sports Arena at 7 p.m. today.