It competes for attention with the world's second most prestigious bicycle race, but sporting news media around the world wouldn't dare miss the Amgen Tour of California.

And they definitely won't want to skip Stage Five, coming to Bakersfield Thursday.

Maybe it's a good thing so many of Bakersfield's most influential people take cycling seriously. Why else would they spend so much time and energy (and money) helping organize a bike race for the greater good?

From the fundraising end to race logistics to negotiating with various government officials, well-known locals have contributed greatly to making sure that Stage Five of the Amgen Tour of California goes off without a hitch Thursday in Bakersfield.

Three-time Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer will compete in the 2012 edition of the race when it kicks off today in his adopted hometown of Santa Rosa, but the cyclist said he will not be battling for another win.

Leipheimer suffered a broken fibula when he was hit by a car during a training ride in Northern Spain on April 1.

Three-time Amgen Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer will compete in the 2012 edition of the race when it kicks off today in his adopted hometown of Santa Rosa, but the cyclist said he will not be battling for another win.

Leipheimer suffered a broken fibula when he was hit by a car during a training ride in Northern Spain on April 1.

HUMBLE, Texas -- David Charleston and Brandon Washington each had fourth-place finishes Friday for Cal State Bakersfield's men at the Great West Conference Track and Field Championships at Houston Baptist University.

Charleston was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 23⁄4 inches. Washington was fourth in the long jump at 21-91⁄2. Charleston was ninth in the long jump (20-31⁄2).

HUMBLE, Texas -- David Charleston and Brandon Washington each had fourth-place finishes Friday for Cal State Bakersfield's men at the Great West Conference Track and Field Championships at Houston Baptist University.

Charleston was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 23⁄4 inches. Washington was fourth in the long jump at 21-91⁄2. Charleston was ninth in the long jump (20-31⁄2).

Baseball

Mira Monte 12, Golden Valley 2

Baseball

Mira Monte 12, Golden Valley 2

The Southeast Yosemite League Swimming Championships were supposed to be a tuneup of sorts for Laura Meert.

The Garces senior was just hoping to post times consistent with her best ones of the year and planned to wait until next week's Central Section Division I finals to let loose.

The Southeast Yosemite League Swimming Championships were supposed to be a tuneup of sorts for Laura Meert.

The Garces senior was just hoping to post times consistent with her best ones of the year and planned to wait until next week's Central Section Division I finals to let loose.

The Ridgeview High boys swim team won all but one event and the Ridgeview girls won three events Friday as the Wolf Pack swept the South Yosemite League championships at McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

The victories wrapped up overall league titles for Ridgeview as well, which combines dual meet records with the league meet results.

The Ridgeview High boys swim team won all but one event and the Ridgeview girls won three events Friday as the Wolf Pack swept the South Yosemite League championships at McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

The victories wrapped up overall league titles for Ridgeview as well, which combines dual meet records with the league meet results.

CYPRESS -- Mt. San Antonio College scored six runs in a wild fourth inning to come from behind and beat Bakersfield College 10-5 in a first-round game of a four-team Super Regional softball playoff at Cypress College.

BC coach Sandi Taylor and All-State catcher Kara Frankhouser were ejected from the game and will not be allowed to participate in today's noon game when BC faces Glendale.

CYPRESS -- Mt. San Antonio College scored six runs in a wild fourth inning to come from behind and beat Bakersfield College 10-5 in a first-round game of a four-team Super Regional softball playoff at Cypress College.

BC coach Sandi Taylor and All-State catcher Kara Frankhouser were ejected from the game and will not be allowed to participate in today's noon game when BC faces Glendale.

DALLAS -- Carroll Shelby, the legendary car designer and champion auto racer who built the fabled Shelby Cobra sports car and injected testosterone into Ford's Mustang and Chrysler's Viper, has died. He was 89.

Shelby's company, Carroll Shelby International, said Friday that Shelby died a day earlier at a Dallas hospital.

DALLAS -- Carroll Shelby, the legendary car designer and champion auto racer who built the fabled Shelby Cobra sports car and injected testosterone into Ford's Mustang and Chrysler's Viper, has died. He was 89.

Shelby's company, Carroll Shelby International, said Friday that Shelby died a day earlier at a Dallas hospital.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

LAKE ISABELLA: Crappie have been fair with some decent catches of fish to 2 pounds, but the action is all in 10 to 25 feet of water as the lake level comes up. The shore bite is tougher than the boat action. Most of the cats are 2-4 pounds, and Kissick Cove has been particularly good. The trout remain pretty fair off the points and at the auxiliary dam. Also quite a few bass being caught and the bluegill bite is also just starting.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

LAKE ISABELLA: Crappie have been fair with some decent catches of fish to 2 pounds, but the action is all in 10 to 25 feet of water as the lake level comes up. The shore bite is tougher than the boat action. Most of the cats are 2-4 pounds, and Kissick Cove has been particularly good. The trout remain pretty fair off the points and at the auxiliary dam. Also quite a few bass being caught and the bluegill bite is also just starting.

Stockdale has had its fair share of baseball and softball success over the years, but for surprise factor alone, it'll be hard to top this spring.

The Mustangs clinched outright Southwest Yosemite League title in both baseball and softball Thursday with victories over Independence.

Stockdale has had its fair share of baseball and softball success over the years, but for surprise factor alone, it'll be hard to top this spring.

The Mustangs clinched outright Southwest Yosemite League title in both baseball and softball Thursday with victories over Independence.