Sports: The Northwest Voice

Bike Bakersfield: Local non-profit gets people moving!

Bike Bakersfield was established in 2006 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cycling as a preferred mode of transportation. Our many programs include: Recycle-a-Bicycle, which helps disadvantaged adults acquire a bike; bike rodeos to teach elementary children about bicycle safety; and creating bike routes for the public to help encourage bicycle commuting. Plus, if you donate a new or gently used bike to Bike Bakersfield, you will receive a tax deduction on next year’s taxes. Other programs also include tutorial classes on fixing your bike, fun bike rides and community events.

Cycling is a great, low impact sport, meaning it won’t harm your joints or bones. It’s also great for cardio exercise and increases lung capacity, not to mention an amazing weight loss program. Many people lose between 10 to 15 pounds after commuting regularly for a few months. Plus it’s a great way to meet new people who enjoy cycling as well. There are several cycling clubs in Bakersfield that put on regular events. It’s not hard to ride to work, and in fact takes only 10 minutes more than driving. So get on your bikes and ride!

If you are looking for a great place to ride, try the bike path. The Kern River Parkway is 32 miles of beautiful hidden scenery many residents may not notice. The Bike Path starts in the Northeast at Lake Ming and Hart Park and follows the mighty Kern River to the Nature Reserve at Enos Lane. Beautiful parks such as Hart, Beach, Yokuts and the Park at River Walk make it easy to jump on and off the bike path where ever you live. Even if you ride to commute, for fun, or just to spend time with family, cycling is great all around!

Visit: www.bikebakersfield.org and ask for a bike route to your work, or come in and visit us at 1708 Chester Ave.

Blog: NW Bakersfield needs more bike-friendly roads

As an avid bicycle rider, I can’t understand why Bakersfield, especially Northwest Bakersfield, doesn’t have better roads for bicycles. You can’t really ride anywhere without running into a narrow stretch of road or a bike lane so full of broken glass and other junk that you have to ride in traffic lanes just to get around it.

Some drivers aren’t very kind to bicyclists. I’ve been honked at and yelled at while riding down the road. Recently, I had turned onto Verdugo Lane from Holland Street. (I had to use Holland Street to avoid the Calloway Drive and Rosedale Highway intersection on my way home from Action Sports at Calloway Drive and Brimhall Road). On Holland Street, I had to ride away from the side of the street to avoid hitting parked cars. When I turned right onto Verdugo, a young woman in a truck yelled at me, “Get out of the middle of the street!”

Of course, I was pretty ticked off at the lady for saying that. She drove off and I just rode on, thinking if I could have responded to her, I would have said, “Shut up! You try riding a bicycle in nearly 100-degree heat for 10 miles!”

My word to drivers: Give us bicyclists care and respect on the road. We have enough to deal with already. We’re doing you a favor by helping to keep our air clean and reduce dependence on oil. So please do us bicyclists a favor and respect the fact that we’re riding bicycles and that we can’t go 50 mph like you can. By law, we have to be on the street, and you have to share the road with us.

I apologize if I was riding too far out in middle of Holland Street that day. When I ride, I try to respect drivers as best as I can. If I’m at a four-way stop and nobody is coming up behind me, you’ll often see me yield to as many as six cars just because I know they can clear the intersection faster than I can. I use the bike path whenever possible, too. Also, most bicyclists I see are riding on the right side of the road and away from traffic.

There is a pure lack of bike racks here in Bakersfield. Bike racks are places where riders can safely park their bikes and lock them up while at work or patronizing a business. I think most schools have bike racks for students who ride to school. I would like to see more bike racks here.

Want to respond to Bryan’s blog?

Bike safety tips: Whether to work or play, be wise on two wheels

Remember, bicycles must obey the same rules of the road as motor vehicles, meaning you must: ride on the right hand side, with traffic, as close to the curb as possible, and obey all stop signs and traffic signals. Even to turn left, a bicycle should act like a vehicle and merge into traffic to make the turn. However, if a rider doesn’t feel comfortable riding with traffic, just use the crosswalk. There’s no shame!

Some tips for commuting
1. Make sure you bring water for the ride and a snack for when you get to work. You’ll probably be ready for a little bite to eat after you cool off.

2. Flat fixin’s: Don’t forget spare tubes, portable pump or CO2 cartridges, tire lever.

3. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them tends to work out well if you’re bringing an extra change. While you’re on the bike, you’ll also want to wear something comfortable that will not get caught in the chain. (You can roll up pants, secure them with a rubber band, or wear shorts to avoid pant legs getting caught.) Also, it’s good to bring some layers just in case. Sometimes it’s cooler in the mornings and you might want a light windbreaker or sweater that you can peel off when it’s warmer on your ride home.

4. If your work doesn’t have a shower, an easy way to feel fresher is to bring a washcloth and sponge off. You can always leave extra toiletries at work, like deodorant, hair stuff, or makeup. That way, you don’t have to carry it to and from work every day.

Safety tips for children riding their bikes
1. Always wear a helmet. It is against the law for any child under 18 to not wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. If caught not wearing a helmet, the parent will receive an initial fine of $25 that increases every time the child is caught not wearing a helmet.

2. Ride in the bike lane, going the same direction as traffic. Drivers are looking for riders in the street, not on the sidewalk. Small children should ride on the sidewalk when accompanied by an adult.

3. Obey all stop signs and traffic lights. Even though the child may be riding in a familiar area, they must stop at all traffic lights. And, like always, look both ways before crossing the street.

4. A bike is made for one person, not two. Many BMX bikes come with pegs which are meant to help perform tricks, however, children use it as a way to take their best bud along for the ride. This is dangerous. If the bike gets into an accident, then two children will be hurt.

5. Wear a well-fitting helmet — it’s no use if it’s too big or too small. The helmet should be snug, but not tight, and fall about two fingers above the eyebrows.

Biking in Bako

We put out a "call for photos," and our Northwest community responded!

Check out the bicycling photos contributed by Northwest Voice readers!

Youth Athlete of the Month Nominating Wade Froehlich

I am nominating my son Wade Froehlich because of his amazing dedication to a sport that gets very little recognition. He practices year round on a Boys Gymnastics Team at American Kids Sports Center. His dedication to the sport amazes me. He loves all sports and does his best to juggle Flag Football and Baseball while continuing his year round sport. Most importanlty he has been a loving and caring son, a great student at school and church, and a wonderful example for his younger brother and sister. We are so very proud of him. We love you....Papa, Mama, Jake and Nicoletta !

Attention sports fans: Bakersfield has water polo!

Bakersfield Water Polo Club was started in October 2007, after Jason Gall came from the Ivy League Brown University to become the head coach at Cal State Bakersfield. He brought with him a great deal of experience and success from both the club and collegiate ranks.

Gall, a native Californian, started the club with about 20 kids, mostly junior high and high school aged boys and girls. The club has held consecutive eight-week sessions throughout the year, ending with a 10-week session for the summer. The kids practice twice a week for two hours at a time.

Throughout the season, the club brought teams to tournaments up and down the San Joaquin Valley and into Southern California, including the John Hale Summer Championships in Ontario and the National Junior Olympics in Irvine. The club may not have brought home any medals this year, but the kids have had a lot of fun through practice and competitive experiences that provided them with a solid foundation from which to continue growth and improvement as water polo players. Participation peaked in the summer with over 60 kids participating in games and tournaments.

It is Coach Gall’s hope that, with enough exposure and interest, water polo will make its way into all high schools in Bakersfield. Garces, a private high school on the east side, will be fielding girls and boys water polo teams beginning this fall.

“Some of the kids on the Garces team have been playing water polo for my club since October,” Gall concluded. “It’s great to see that they will have the opportunity to compete at the high school level. Hopefully, this will put the pressure on other high schools to add water polo. My hope is that water polo becomes one of the more popular sports here in Bakersfield.”

This fall, Bakersfield Water Polo Club will be offering a low-cost introduction to water polo to provide a new and different choice for kids who may only participate in activities offered through local recreation centers. This program is open to all school-age children ages 7 and up. All it takes is interest and a desire to learn and have fun!

Visit: www.bakersfieldwaterpolo.org for more information.

Saturday Morning Cyclist

On one of our early dates, my future husband mentioned that he would soon be traveling to France. Knowing that he often traveled for business, I asked how he'd been lucky enough to land a conference in the City of Lights. Kyle responded that he would be following the Tour.

"The Tour?" I asked...

"The Tour de France, the bike race Lance Armstrong made so popular."

Ahh. The fact that he was following the route with only a tent and plans to bathe in rivers should have been my first clue to the depths of his love of cycling, both as a spectator and a participant.

Nearly three years later, most of our Saturday mornings hinge on biking. The alarm chirps at five o'clock and I groggily watch Kyle change into bright Lycra. His cycling shoes click-clack across the kitchen floor as he gathers his sports drinks, sports bars, and iPod. I follow him outside, still dark and crisp, to watch him air up the slim tires and load the surprisingly lightweight (and pricey) bicycle onto his SUV. The rhythmic sound of sprinklers and twittering of birds usually help me finish waking up. I stand in the driveway to wave goodbye, saying a prayer that he comes back safely.

Our routine means that I now have at least five hours to myself. Well, six or seven; he has to eat, shower, and rest once he arrives home red-faced and sweaty. My Saturday mornings have morphed into something of a restful cyclone, when I hunt bargains at yard sales, do chores around the house, visit my parents, get lunch ready, and sneak in some indulgent reality show-watching time.

Names like Breckenridge, Arvin Loop, Round Mountain, and Caliente did not mean much to me in the past, but they have come to represent my husband's hard work and dedication to a sport that he loves. He and a small group of friends have Saturday mornings to push themselves physically for thirty to forty miles, encouraging each other as their muscles burn and they secretly want to turn around for home. This brotherhood is something I know he looks forward to throughout the week, no computer or desk in sight, just an open road to pedal down. I will always be his biggest cheerleader and encourage him to ride on.

Sometimes, though, I wish we could just hit the snooze.

Kern County Gun Club offers Scholastic Clay Target Program

The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) provides school-age participants in grades 12 and under with the opportunity to showcase their competitive shooting skills and earn state and national recognition. The program is designed to instill in participants safe firearms handling, commitment, responsibility, leadership and teamwork.

We will have instructors and coaches to teach trap, skeet and sporting clays. We invite new shooters as well as those who already shoot to join us and join in the fun — whether its competition shooting you’re looking for or just learning to shoot and having fun with your friends.

The Kern County Gun Club is proud to be associated with the Scholastic Clay Target Program and to offer classes by certified instructors and coaches. Classes will be held on Saturdays beginning in September and will run through May. Cost is $75 per shooter and will cover SCTP registration fees, Saturday practice shooting and a T-shirt. Shotguns will be available for new shooters, but if you have one bring it.

At least one parent must be present for registration. Registration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Kern County Gun Club, located adjacent to the Buena Vista Recreation Area, two miles south of Taft Highway on Enos Lane.

For more information call Cyndi Benson at 205-8569 or Charles Brewster at 205-2914.

Athlete of the Month Winner: Kody Wright

Kody Wright, 11, has been playing travel baseball for over two years. In a recent tournament, Kody batted .555 for the weekend, including two doubles and three walks. Defensively, he played catcher for 11 innings — in one day — and had an out at home that involved a collision preventing the opposing team from scoring; he had no errors and five outs defensively. Kody maintained a 4.0 GPA for his first two semesters at Centennial Elementary. We are most proud of the effort and positive attitude that Kody brings to any situation.

Sports Shorts

It shall be the grandest of slams once renovations are complete at the Bakersfield College baseball and softball fields sometime in the near future. New backstops and new grandstands shall adorn each complex, with new bullpens and dugouts added to the softball diamond. If you have never treated yourself to a ballgame at this immaculate baseball field in the past, you should calendar a game in for next season and enjoy the gem of a diamond that it will be. Coach Tim Painton and his players treat and care for that sanctuary as if it were a Major League facility. Not enough can be said regarding the efforts longtime Bakersfield baseball man George Culver and his Light Brigade committee have put forth through their yearly Hot Stove Dinner fundraiser that has benefitted the baseball program tremendously. The softball setting is feeling the love also, so try to catch some games this coming season. You’ll be impressed!

“Brady, Brady!” as he walked out of the tunnel onto the field ... oops — wrong Brady! As he walked off of the 18th green, after pulling the cat out of the hat with an astonishing eagle to capture the 29th Bakersfield City Golf Championship, former Cal-State Roadrunner Brady Baguio breathed a sigh of relief as he literally stole the title from former BHS golf phenom Bhavik Patel with the one-stroke victory. Kudos to both for their brilliant play at Sundale Country Club.

Incoming Liberty High School senior Cassidy Bell has announced her intention of playing shortstop for the Nittany Lions at Penn State. Cassidy’s .587 batting average endeared her to numerous Division I softball programs who courted her services. Good luck Cass in the land of Joe Pa!

Kingsburg native and former B.C. Renegade pitcher Jake Woods has been called back up to the Seattle Mariners’ parent club for the third time in three seasons. Hope Jake shows some staying power as third time’s the charm!

Here’s hoping that the Bakersfield Northwest 12-year-old all-star team brings home both the national and world baseball championship titles as they embark on their magical journey, which begins in Aberdeen, Maryland. Show ‘em how the west was won, boys — and “shake a pair!”

Editor’s note: The phone number for Junior Golf Academy at RiverLakes Ranch Golf Course is 661-496-0631.

BAKERSFIELD JAM TO TIPOFF NBA D-LEAGUE SEASON ON FRIDAY, NOV. 28

BAKERSFIELD JAM TO TIPOFF NBA D-LEAGUE SEASON ON FRIDAY, NOV. 28

- D-League Expands to 16 Teams for Upcoming Season -

(Bakersfield, Calif., August 12, 2008) – The Bakersfield Jam open their 2008-09 season in the NBA Development League on Thursday, Nov.28 at 3:30 p.m. PST when they travel to play the Los Angeles Defenders at the Staples Center.

The Jam - Defenders contest is the first of 50 regular season games for the Jam, 24 of which will take place at the Rabobank Arena. The Jam will also take part in the 2009 NBA D-League Showcase that will take place from Jan. 5-8 at McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah.

Jam owner, David Higdon welcomed the schedule by stating,” Our fans will have the opportunity to enjoy fourteen weekend games and ten, strategically-placed Tuesday/Thursday games in the jewel of downtown Bakersfield: Rabobank Arena.” Higdon continued by adding, “The Jam is excited to start our third season in the NBA Development League, bringing the highest level of professional sports to Kern County.”

Also highlighting the 2008-09 NBA D-League Schedule is the All-Star Game and Dream Factory which is part of NBA Jam Session presented by adidas at NBA All-Star 2009 in Phoenix.

Fans can purchase season ticket packages for Jam games now by calling (661) 716-4JAM or logging onto www.bakersfieldjam.com. Season tickets range from $120 (upper bowl) to $1,800 (courtside) with several price points in-between.

Jam owner Higdon also discussed the potential for a successful season on the court by saying,” Head Coach, Scott Roth has, literally been scouting the world this summer in order to bring a talented, dedicated team of winners to Bakersfield. It should be a very exciting year.” Coach Roth and top Jam assistant, Dean Martin is currently in the Dominican Republic, coaching the country’s national team.

The NBA D-League will continue to have three divisions for the 2008-09 season. The Central and Southwest divisions will feature five teams, while the West division will have six. The Jam will play in the West division. The Divisions for the 2008-09 season will break down as follows:

Central	Southwest	West
Dakota	Albuquerque	Anaheim
Erie	Austin	Bakersfield
Fort Wayne	Colorado	Idaho
Iowa	Rio Grande Valley	Los Angeles
Sioux Falls	Tulsa	Reno
		Utah

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Having recently completed its seventh season, the NBA D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact 15 percent of players on 2008 end-of-season NBA rosters spent time honing their skills in the League. In addition, it has produced current NBA coaches and 25 percent of the NBA’s referees. The NBA D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, the live web-streaming of all games available free at nba.com/futurecast. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Vance Palm

Vice President, Communications

Proud Members of the NBA Development League

1400 Norris Road

Bakersfield, CA 93309

(661) 716-4JAM - Office

(661) 873-3233 - Cell

(661) 322-7069 - Fax

vpalm@bakersfieldjam.com

Call now to purchase your 2008-09 season tickets and get the best rates and best seat selections.

Racing fever

Clay Wattenbarger, 19, fights fires, and not only as a member of the Kern County Fire Department’s Hotshot Crew.

He also races stock cars and found himself in the middle of an inferno on the racetrack in July 2007 when the stock car he was driving hit the wall at Irwindale Speedway and burst into a ball of flames in front of friends and family.

He was able to escape uninjured, and the accident apparently did nothing to impede his love for a sport in which he has been competing for three years.

Wattenbarger, a 2007 Centennial High School graduate, had been racing go-karts since he was 12 and first became interested in stock cars after attending a race at the former Mesa Marin Raceway to watch his friend, Kevin Callahan.

“I just fell in love with it,” said Wattenbarger, whose family soon purchased his first stock car.

Wattenbarger, who races the late model stock cars for Collins Motorsports, claims that he nearly gave up driving, though, when he realized how challenging (and costly) it was. In his first race, he finished in the middle of a 40-car field, but after that, things seemed to go downhill.

“I wrecked in every other race,” said Wattenbarger, who thought, “This may not be the sport for us.”

Patience reigned, though, after a pep talk from team owner Gary Collins, who told the young driver that he wasn’t going to learn everything about racing in half of a season.

Those words proved prophetic. Wattenbarger finished in the middle of the points standings in his second season of racing, and by his third season, he finished in the top five overall.

But he didn’t do it alone. For Wattenbarger, the sport is definitely a family affair.

“My dad and my grandpa are my main sponsors, and without them, I wouldn’t be racing,” he said of Wattenbarger Construction, and added that his sister, Romi, is his biggest fan, often painting her brother’s number 29 on her face. Mom, April, does the accounting, orders the merchandise … and worries.

“I don’t even watch the race,” she said, laughing. “I’m at the track. I’ll glance at the leader board and call Lori (Callahan) to ask what’s going on if there’s a caution.” Otherwise, April said, she watches only a fraction of the race as she sits with Romi.

The Wattenbarger and Callahan families have gotten close over the years and not only because Clay and Kevin race for the same team.

“Clay and I met when we were in diapers,” said Callahan, 20, who graduated from Centennial High School in 2006. “We lived right down the street from each other. I can’t even call him a friend ... he’s my brother.”

It was the Callahan brother who caught the racing bug first.

At 9, he started racing go-karts and eventually graduated to a Mazda RX-7, where he raced on road courses. The stock cars were next, even though he’d always dreamt of racing the Formula One series.

“As I got older, I just wanted to race stock cars,” said Callahan. “They are less expensive and more well known in the States.”

Less expensive than Formula One cars, maybe, but stock car racing isn’t lawn bowling, either.

Far from it.

“Once you buy the car, it’s anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 a year to run the car,” said Scott Wattenbarger, Clay’s father.

Unlike many other professional sports, NASCAR series racing relies heavily on sponsorship money to put cars on the track. In order for a driver to get noticed, he has to run in the races; to run in the races, one needs to have — well, roughly $100,000 a year, plus a car.

“If you want to make it, getting noticed is in the sponsorship,” said Scott. “If you’re good, you’re hoping someone is going to notice you and take you under their wing.”

Sponsorship dollars seem to be the one aspect of racing that teams don’t want to think about — but must.

“For us, it’s a struggle, but we have a lot of good sponsors and a lot of loyal people,” said Callahan, whose main sponsors are Bedrosians Marble and Tile and Delfino Homes.

Wattenbarger and Callahan aren’t the only late model stock car racers in the Northwest. Their former roller hockey teammate, 2008 North High graduate Michael Varela also races in the Auto Club Late Model Series.

“We raced go-karts with Michael for five or six years,” said Callahan. “Then (after roller hockey) we went our separate ways for three years and now race together again.”

If Callahan has his way, they will be racing together a long time.

“I’ve got plans for the future,” he said, “and I’m going to keep going until I get too old or until it isn’t financially possible (to race) anymore.”

A night out with Kevin Harvick

On June 18, the North High School wrestling team raised just under $50,000 — with a guitar signed by Merle Haggard auctioned off for $9,000! Nearly 500 people attended the Night With Kevin Harvick benefit event.

There were numerous displays including Kevin’s No. 29 show car, a NASCAR simulator, Kevin’s exclusive merchandise truck, and booths from various local organizations (including Trout’s).

Famous Dave’s did a great job with the food, and Three-Way Chevrolet made the event special by bringing out a replica of an Indy Pace Car. The North High Jazz Ensemble, Poso Creek, and the Road Dawgs entertained the crowd with live music all through the night.

A truly fun time was had by all. Kevin shook hands and signed autographs well into the late hours of the event.

Sports Shorts

Time to dole out some end-of-the-year sports awards. The Centennial High girls track team captured the SWYL team championship this past season. The resulting title earned co-coaches Randy Jones and Ryan Renz coach of the year honors — especially sweet for Randy as he eases into retirement.

First-team individual honors went to Frontier’s Taylor Jackson, who tore up the league and area in the 100 and 300 hurdles; Liberty’s Amanda Klinchuch, who pole-vaulted her way onto the team; and Centennial’s Alana Alexander and Ashlee Thomas, who received first-team honors for long jump/triple jump and 800 meters/400 meters, respectively.

Boys track first-team recognition included Frontier’s Matt Darr in the shot put and discus; North High’s Anthony Mitchell, who was the Central Section champion in the 800 meters; and Isiah Purvis from Liberty, who competed in both the 200 and 400 meters.

Opponents found it very difficult to track these elite athletes down!

Now, shifting gears, those of you who affectionately consider yourselves “gearheads” may be saddened to learn that former Northwest resident Casey Mears has lost his ride with Hendrick Racing to Mark Martin. As is wont with the “left-turn” circuit as of late, many drivers are switching teams, and Casey will surely be hooking up with another quality shop in the near future. Sometimes, change is for the best!

As we hit “shuffle” on our column, let’s give due to our prep softball and baseball award winners. University of Florida-bound Ensley Gammel garnered honor as player of the year, Centennial’s ace pitcher completed a 25-3 season with a minuscule 0.44 ERA. Other all-area selections included Liberty’s Cassidy Bell, North’s BreAnna Brown; The Stars’ Brooke Sampson as well as the Golden Hawks’ Brandi Church, Vanessa Medina and Nikki Sawyer, whose uncle Rick pitched in the big leagues for the Yankees and off whom this columnist once took yard at Sam Lynn!

All-area baseball players include Liberty High’s Byron Campbell; Bakersfield Christian’s Taylor Gilliam and the triumvirate of Centennial’s Dustin Robinson, Jarret Martin and Joe Ramirez At: www.CalHiSports.com, Martin was named all-state first team and Robinson and Ramirez were selected to the second team.

BCHS’s Gilliam and Josh Gallington were named first-team in the small schools division.

Former Bakersfield Blaze and No. 1 overall draft pick Josh Hamilton smoked the field in the first round of the MLB Homerun Derby as he blasted — count ‘em — 28 dingers out of the park to set a new record.

Baseball fans who know of Josh’s incredible story dabbed tears from their eyes as the night progressed!

Shockwaves Are Being Felt Across California

The Shockwave girls fast pitch softball teams are really making a name for themselves this summer. A total of 23 girls from throughout Bakersfield, and beyond, make up the two teams of hardworking players.

The 14U “A” team is coached by Bill Senecal, Denis Lepine, and Ron Holt. In addition to playing extremely well at numerous tournaments, the team has qualified to represent California at the ASA\USA girls fastpitch National Championship in Midland, Texas. The 14U team members are: Liz Aguilar - Liberty High School, Bree Bailey - Stockdale High School, Jamie Duran - Kern Valley High School, Hannah Harris - Dos Pueblos High School, Victoria Johnson - Ridgeview High School, Jessica Meninga - Bakersfield Christian High School, Ryanna Morua - RidgeviewHigh School, Colleen Reed - StockdaleHigh School, Destiny Ruiz - Delano High School, Sarah Smith - Bakersfield High School, Maddy Wilen - Ridgeview High School, and Tori Zimmermann - Rosedale Middle School.

The 16U “A” team is also having a fantastic season. The team has qualified to represent California at the ASA/USA girls Fastpitch Nationals in Owensboro, Kentucky. The team also went undefeated in the USSSA NORCAL State Championship. The players on the team this year are: Danielle Ayler – Foothill High School, Jazmine Irvin – Stockdale High School, Annissa Carender – Wasco High School, Julie Estep – Golden Valley High School, Brianna Gonzalez – Ridgeview High School, Megan McCormick – Bakersfield Christian High School, Ashley Mills – Frontier High School, Brittney Roberts – Centennial High School, Smantha Saldana – Wasco High School, Nikki Sawyer – Centennial High School, and Megan Sweet – Frontier High School. The Shockwave 16U team is coached by Mike Sweet, Kent Roberts, and John Sawyer.

The families and friends couldn’t be more proud of the girls and wish them luck in their upcoming tournaments.