CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Both Megan Bateman and Shaye Beckett realized when they signed National Letter of Intents to continue their running careers at California University that they’d have the chance to compete for sports. But, both were also aware of how strong the Vulcans’ program was, so they knew it would be a challenge.

With just one weekend left in the season, California, Pa. is preparing for the NCAA Division II national meet and both Bateman, who graduated from Union Local, and Beckett, who is from Bellaire, will be at the line as part of the team’s top seven competitors.

Bateman competed in the regional meet two weeks ago and finished 42nd overall to garner a fourth-place finish on the team.

“This is only the third time Cal has made it to the nationals, so to be a part of that is really cool,” Bateman said. “We are all super excited, but our coaches have been stressing to us to save our emotion for the national meet.”

Bateman has been a consistent member of the Vulcan’s top five since about the middle of the season. She credits her success to a change in training at the collegiate level.

“We’ve done a lot more mileage here than I did in high school and it’s paying off,” Bateman said. “We did a lot of speed workouts in high school with not as much mileage. We do a lot of miles here and I think it’s built up my endurance and I still have speed for the longer distances.”

As for what lies ahead, this will be by far the biggest meet Bateman has competed in. She never qualified to an Ohio State meet in either cross country or track.

“It’s kind of intimidating,” Bateman said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to compete at this meet and do anything I can to help the team. There will be nerves, but my coach keeps telling me, ‘you’ve made it this far, you’re doing well, your hard work this season is paying off and just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

Bateman hopes to finish around 170th, but would gladly take higher.

BECKETT, meanwhile, didn’t earn a spot in the Vulcans’ top seven for the regional meet, but she continued to train and practice. And it turns out she’s going to get a chance to compete.

“Another girl and I had been back-and-forth and I was the eighth runner for the regional,” Beckett admitted. “I went to the regional and it was really cool to see the team’s hard work pay off. It was great to see everyone really working as a team and not just for themselves.”

Her coaches informed her early last week that she would indeed be making the trip to Evansville, Ind. to compete.

Beckett, who was an Ohio State CC qualifier as a senior with the Big Reds, actually didn’t know how to react to the news.

“I was excited, but I was also upset about it, too,” Beckett said. “The girl came up to me after and told me she was glad that coach was taking me, which definitely made it easier.”

Beckett got the nod from the Vulcans’ coaching staff because it believes she “will be able to peak a little bit better.”

Similar to Bateman, Beckett has been battling nerves basically since she learned she’d be competing.

“I feel like I am in a good spot running wise, but mentally, I am kind of nervous,” Beckett said. “I am guessing my nerves will be there when I step up to the line, but when the gun goes off, I think I’ll be fine and just run the race.”

Here’s a capsule look at other area natives:

Football

Division I

COLTON McKIVITZ, West Virginia — Union Local graduate had another strong effort as he started at right tackle for the Mountaineers in their win at Kansas State. He continues to get it done in the classroom, too. He was named second-team Academic All Big 12. It’s the second time he’s been recognized.

BRENDAN FERNS, West Virginia — St. Clairsville graduate continues to rehab from shoulder surgery, but he also continues to get it done in the classroom. He was named Academic All Big 12 first team.

JOSH SILLS, West Virginia — Meadowbrook product started at right guard for the Mountaineers.

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana — Shadyside product saw action in the Hoosiers’ game last week.

ELIJIAH BELL, North Carolina A&T — Wheeling Park graduate had another big game, catching five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in a win against Savannah State.

CHUCKWUDI CHUCKWU, Ohio — Linsly graduated appeared on kick off team for the Bobcats in their loss at Akron on Tuesday.

Division II

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate started at right guard in the Panthers victory against Findlay, which gave them the GMAC title.

MATT BARBOUR, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry product appeared in last week’s conference-title winning victory against Findlay.

NYJUAN ROBINSON, Ohio Dominican — Steubenville graduate posted two tackles, a sack and forced a fumble in the win over Findlay.

SHYOUN PETTEWAY, Ohio Dominican — Steubenville alumnus was named GMAC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time after recording four tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and 44 yards in returns.

COLE SKAGGS, West Virginia Wesleyan — St. Clairsville graduate played in last week’s season finale against West Virginia State.

MATT KINNICK, West Virginia State — St. Clairsville graduate put the finishing touches on a brilliant career for the Yellow Jackets by completing 21-of-29 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Earlier this week, he was named first-team all-MEC for the first time in his career.

GEREMY PAIGE, Gannon — Wheeling Park product posted six tackles, a sack and recovered a fumble in last week’s victory.

MATT HACKATHORN, Gannon — Wheeling Park graduate started at right tackle in the Gannon victory.

COREY ERNEST, West Liberty — St. Clairsville product started at left guard in the Hilltoppers’ loss at Fairmont. He was named second-team all-MEC earlier this week.

TREVOR HARDESTY, West Liberty — John Marshall graduate caught 3 passes for 28 yards and posted a tackle in last week’s loss to Fairmont State.

CLIFFORD CLARK, West Liberty — Cambridge graduate had eight tackles last week and then was named first-team all-MEC at linebacker.

CHANCE RUCKER, West Liberty — Caldwell native started at right tackle for the Hilltoppers.

AUSTIN WHIPKEY, West Liberty — Linsly graduate started at right guard in the Hilltoppers’ season finale loss at Fairmont.

VONDELL BELL, California, Pa. — Wheeling Park product had a tackle in the Vulcans regular-season finale. The team was selected for the NCAA Division II Tournament and will open play Saturday.

DEVON HARRIS, Walsh — True freshman from St. Clairsville caught 2 passes for 13 yards in last week’s win against city-rival Malone.

Division III

DALTON SECHREST, Marietta — Beallsville graduate had three tackles, including two for loss.

TANNER CLARK, Marietta — Caldwell graduate had three rushes for 10 yards.

CHASE KINEMOND, Bethany — Shadyside graduate put the finishing touches on his collegiate career by completing 14-of-22 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 32 yards. As a punter, he was charted for an average of 30.6 yards per kick on five tries. He was named honorable mention all-PAC as a punter.

CHRISTIAN WITCHEY, St. Vincent’s — St. Clairsville product punted five times for 228 yards and an average 45.6 yards. He was named second-team all-PAC.

VON WOODING, Oberlin — Linsly product had eight tackles and surpassed the 100-tackle mark for the season. He also had an interception for the second straight game and recorded a sack.

HAYDEN GAUS, Kenyon — Linsly graduate had two tackles in last week’s loss to Dennison.

AUSTIN CURNES, Washington & Jefferson — Wheeling Park graduate started at left guard for the Presidents, who will open NCAA Division III Tournament play this weekend.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

JENSEN CARETTI, Ohio State — River graduate recorded a career-high 14 points in the Buckeyes’ victory against Idaho this past Wednesday. She didn’t play in last weekend’s OT loss to Louisville because of a battle with an illness.

CAITLYN KROLL, St. Francis — Bridgeport graduate made her regular season, collegiate debut with a solid all-around game. She scored seven points, grabbed five rebounds, passed out three assists and had three steals in 32 minutes of action.

MORGAN BRUNNER, Youngstown State — Linsly graduate scored five points and had an assist in 10 minutes of action during the Penguins’ loss to Pitt earlier this week.

ALLI DELANEY, Notre Dame College — Union Local product saw four mintues of action in her team’s loss to Ashland last week.

VIVIAN ALLISON, Mercyhurst — Linsly product played in both of the Lakers first two games. She scored in a loss to West Liberty.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

CHASE HARLER, West Virginia — Wheeling Central grad drew praise from head coach Bob Huggins earlier this week after his performance in a loss to Texas A&M. He played 16 minutes, but supplied energy on both ends. He scored four points, grabbed two rebounds and passed out two assists. He also blocked a shot.

LOGAN ROUTT, West Virginia — Cameron product played in the Mountaineers’ loss to A&M.

PHIL BLEDSOE, Marshall — Wheeling Park product played 20 minutes in the Thundering Herd’s win against Southern. He scored seven points. In their opener, he scored four points.

DAN MONTEROSO, West Liberty — St. Clairsville graduate had a big opening week for the Hilltoppers. He scored 12, 18 and 14 points in three lopsided wins. He also had nine steals last Tuesday against Davis & Elkins.

PRESTON BOSWELL, Wheeling Jesuit — Magnolia graduate had an impressive opening week for the Cardinals. He scored 22, 20 and 16 points in three victories.

WRESTLING

CAIDE BUNFILL, Edinboro — Barnesville graduate dropped his first two matches at the Eastern Michigan Open last weekend.

TARIQ WILSON, N.C. State — Steubenville graduate, who is a red-shirt freshman, opened his college career with a pair of major decisions for the Wolfpack.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth