Nicole Bridges, a Cal Poly-bound senior at Bakersfield Liberty High in California and the program record holder in the 800, 1,600 and mile as well as a state finalist in both track and cross country, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing May 18 at the CIF Central Section Masters meet in the 800, 1,600 and 4x400 relay at Buchanan High's Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, and looking to advance to the California state meet May 24-25 at the same venue. Bridges is looking to become the first female athlete in program history to capture a Central Section Masters crown in either the 800 or 1,600. She would become the first girls competitor from any Bakersfield school to prevail in the 800 since Bakersfield High's Mikaela Romanini won in 2016-17, in addition to capturing the first 1,600 championship by any female student-athlete from the county since Brittany Grimes of Bakersfield Centennial in 2003, who followed two-time winner Tracy Cohn of Bakersfield Stockdale in 1996-97. Bridges reflects on her races in April at the 64th Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., and being able to produce personal-best efforts in the mile by clocking 4:52.68, with a 1,600-meter split of 4:50.85, along with running 2:13.43 in the 800, and the belief and confidence those performances provided entering the postseason. She expresses gratitude for the guidance and support of Liberty head coach Ryan Renz, in addition to the mentorship from distance coach Rick Hitchcock and the rest of the Patriots' staff, and shares how significant those relationships have been in her development and improvement this season and throughout her career. Bridges also speaks about how valuable the encouragement and support of her parents has been, especially during a demanding schedule her senior year, and how important it was for her to attend a university in California to remain connected with her family. She also highlights how impactful her faith has been and how Bridges' spiritual journey has enhanced her athletic career, and how that presence of a Christian community was important in her decision to attend Cal Poly, as well as the connection of several Central Section graduates being part of the Mustangs' program. Bridges also speaks about the friendships she has developed with fellow Liberty seniors Bella Turner and Aubrey Thompson, in addition to how meaningful it is for her to be a leader to her younger teammates, including 4x400 relay members Jordyn Higbee and Rylee Wheeler, and how excited she is for the future success of the Patriots' dprogram.