Bakersfield, CA - The Bakersfield College Athletics Department annually recognizes the accomplishments of its student athletes with both academic and athletic focused awards. As a department during the 2019-2020 year, the Renegades captured a total of three team conference championships (Women's Volleyball, Soccer and Wrestling) and one individual state championship (Jonathan Hunter, Wrestling). This years awards and the winners are featured below. Due to COVID-19 the awards were only able to be announced online and through social media instead of at the annual Athletics Awards BBQ.
Team Community Service Award
Men's Golf - Even though they suffered devastating news with more than half their season being canceled this spring due to COVID-19, the Renegade Men's golf squad led all teams with a total of 614.5 hours of service in the community. As a department during the 2019-20 academic year Renegade Athletics teams served 2,021 hours in the Bakersfield community before the COVID-19 shut-down, shattering the beginning of the year department goal of 1,250 hours.
Weight Room Warrior
Yarabi Campos, Women's Track & Field – A two-year student athlete for Coach Pam Kelley and the Renegade Track & Field program, Yarabi has proven to be a weight room warrior over the course of her BC career. Using the power of strength training to her advantage and being consistent with daily workouts, Yarabi's work ethic has consistently increased her personal bests in shot, hammer and discuss.
Holden Williams, Football - A two-year student athlete for Renegade football, Holden committed himself to the strength and conditioning program of Zack Peters, BC Director of Strength and Conditioning, and has seen dramatic results. After finishing the 2019 football season with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks, Holden signed to continue his academic and football career at Portland State University.
Newcomer of the Year
Ally Dees, Volleyball – In her first year on the Renegade Volleyball Team, Alyson came in as a very reliable middle blocker for Coach Carl Ferreira to help the team to a fourth consecutive WSC Conference Championship. Over the course of the season she had a .411 hitting percentage, totaled 209 kills and 88 blocks. At the conclusion of the season she was named to the 2019 WSC South First Team All-Conference team.
Tyrell Coleman, Men's Basketball – Breaking onto the court for Coach Rich Hughes, Tyrell was a consistent scoring force for the Renegades all season long. He led the team averaging 17.1 ppg (478 total points) with a 48.9 shooting percentage. At the end of the season he was named to the 2019-20 WSC South First Team All-Conference team.
Individual Performance
Neshara Smith, Women's Track & Field – In her first meet as a Renegade for Coach Pam Kelley at the AVC All-Comers Meet on January 25, Neshara came out with a commanding performance taking first in the 100M dash (12.95), 200M dash (27.04) and long jump (18'5", state qualifying mark). At the conclusion of the shortened season she led the state with top marks in the 100M hurdles and long jump.
Alejandro Murillo, Baseball - On February 7th when the Renegades hosted El Camino at Gerry Collis Field, Alejandro threw a 9-inning game collecting 15 strikeouts. The 15 K's is highest number of batter's he's struck out in any one game during his two-year career at BC. Alejandro recently signed to continue his academic and baseball career at the University of Nevada.
Grit Award
Jenna Sampley, Women's Basketball – A freshman coming into the 2019-20 season, Jenna suffered a severe set-back when she broke her foot in summer training going into the season. Despite the misfortune, she stayed strong in her treatment reporting consistently to the athletic training room, helping in any way she could and overall maintaining a positive attitude. She was able to make it back to the court in December, immediately bringing energy, leadership and a spark to the team.
Adolfo Escudero, Men's Cross Country and T&F – Adolfo has been a consistent two-year runner for Coach Pam Kelley for both the Renegade Cross Country and Track and Field programs. Deaf since birth, he has excelled in the classroom, earning 2019 Academic All-State Honors and is on track for 2020 Academic All-State Honors, all the while being a steady force for the team on the course and on the track.
Career Achievement
Dasia Wandick, Women's Basketball – In her two year's at BC, Dasia has been a consistent and dominant scoring machine for Coach Paula Dahl. In the 2018-19 season Dasia led the team with 14.5 points/game (363 total points) and 7.6 rebounds/game (189 total rebounds). At the conclusion of the season she was named to the WSC South All-Conference team. In the 2019-20 season she continued to lead the team with 15.3 points/game (428 total points) and 8.1 rebounds/game (227 total rebounds). At the end of the season she was once again named to the WSC South All-Conference team.
Edgar Gonzalez, Men's Soccer – Edgar was a solid and dependable bright spot for Coach Vayron Martinez during his two years on the Renegades Men's Soccer team. In the 2018 season he played in all 20 games scoring seven goals with four assists and was named to the 2018 WSC First Team, 2018 CCCSCA All-Region Team and the 2018 CCCSCA All-State Team. In the 2019 season he was a key factor propelling the Renegades to their first conference championship in program history scoring six goals with seven assists. At the end of the season he was named to the 2019 WSC South First Team All-Conference, the 2019 CCCAA South Region Team and was honored as the 2019 WSC South Offensive Player of the Year.
Most Valuable Renegade
Penelope Zepeda, Women's Volleyball – In 2019-20 Penelope led the Women's Volleyball team to their fourth straight WSC Conference Title and into the second round of the CCCAA State Playoffs. A two year starter for Coach Carl Ferreira, Penelope was also an active participant in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. At the conclusion of the 2019 season she was named the WSC South Conference Player of the Year. In addition she was named to the 2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2nd Team All-American, the 2019 CCCAA 1st Team All-State and the 2019 Southern California 1st-team All-State. This coming fall she is headed to go to school and play volleyball at Western Oregon University.
Christian Gonzalez, Men's Soccer – In 2019-20 Christian helped lead the Men's Soccer team to the team's first ever WSC Conference Championships in program history. A two year starter for Coach Vayron Martinez, he also actively participated in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. At the conclusion of the season he was named the 2019 WSC South Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he was named to the 2019 WSC South First Team, 2019 CCAA South Region Team and the 2019 CCCAA State Team. This coming fall he is headed to go to school and play soccer at Humboldt State University.
Scholar Athletes of the Year
Emily Lostetter, Women's Soccer - Emily played as a Midfielder/Forward for Coach Scott Dameron the past two seasons. A Psychology major, Emily accumulated a 3.92 GPA in the classroom the last two years while scoring six goals with five assists in the 2018 season and four goals in the 2019 season.
Ryan Darbee, Baseball - Ryan has been part of Coach Tim Painton's baseball program the last three years earning all-conference honors in 2018 and using a red-shirt year in 2019. An Administration of Justice major with a 3.75 GPA, Ryan has consistently excelled in the classroom and been a leader on the baseball team during his time as a Renegade.
Athletes of the Year
Penelope Zepeda, Volleyball – Penelope Zepeda, Women's Volleyball – In 2019-20 Penelope led the Women's Volleyball team to their fourth straight WSC Conference Title and into the second round of the CCCAA State Playoffs. A two year starter for Coach Carl Ferreira, Penelope was also an active participant in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. At the conclusion of the 2019 season she was named the WSC South Conference Player of the Year. In addition she was named to the 2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 2nd Team All-American, the 2019 California Community College Athletics Association 1st Team All-State and the 2019 Southern California 1st-team All-State. This coming fall she is headed to go to school and play volleyball at Western Oregon University.
Jonathan Hunter, Wrestling – Jonathan's first season as a Renegade was one for the record books. As a 174 lb. wrestler for coaches Brett Clark and Marcos Austin, SCWA Coaches of the Year, Jonathan battled injury to help the team win its third conference title in the last four years. He would then go on to make quick work of his bracket at the state finals and claim an individual state championship and also be named a CCCAA All-American.