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Bulldogs secure split
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Ceres High's varsity wrestling team earned a split during a Valley Oak League tri-meet on Wednesday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

In the night cap, the Bulldogs won nine of 13 matches in posting a 49-21 victory over Manteca.

"Our guys were just in better shape and they wanted it more," Ceres High assistant coach Steve Festa said.

Bulldog grapplers Jordan Apodoca, Wesley Schwieger, Brian Naylor, Curtis Hulstine and Christian Rodriguez shined in front of their home crowd.

"I was impressed with their performances," Festa said.

Facing a seven-point deficit, Apodoca pinned Zach Gase with 30 seconds remaining in the third period of their 140-pound bout.

"He got a reversal towards the end, got him to his back and finished," Festa said. "It came down to conditioning."

The previous week, Apodoca trailed 4-2 prior to defeating Sierra's David Ruiz via pin in the second round of the dual-deciding match. His victory lifted the Bulldogs past the Timberwolves (39-32).

"He's a winner," Festa said.

Schwieger collected a first-round pin (1:15) against Charlie Alvitre at 103 pounds.

Naylor pinned Aaron Smith in the first period (1:10).

Hulstine defeated Marcus Gonzales by major decision (15-5) at 119 pounds.

Rodriguez won by decision (15-8) against Brian Pickett at 152 pounds.

Nick Moran (130 pounds), Keegan Overbey (135), Shawn Amirfar (145) and Diego Garcia (215) also contributed to the Bulldogs' point total by picking up forfeit wins.

Ceres High's Christian Moore, Albert Melendez and Ruldip Jammu suffered losses.

Moore lost by decision (9-6) to Shane McCullar at 189 pounds.

Melendez lost by pin in the first round to Zack Williams at 285 pounds.

Jammu lost by pin in the first round to Estevan Garcia at 171 pounds.

The Buffaloes received a win by forfeit at 112 pounds.

There was a double-forfeit at 160 pounds.

Ceres High opened up the tri-meet with a 68-4 loss to Oakdale.

The Bulldogs gave up a total of 30 points on five forfeits to the Mustangs.

"We knew it was going to be tough," Festa said. "They're the strongest team in our league. We did the best we could with what we had."

Hulstine accounted for Ceres High's lone victory. He won by major decision (14-2) over Mike Gall.

Schwieger and Apodoca were competitive in defeat.

Wesley lost a close decision (4-2) to Robert Barnhart at 103 pounds.

Jordan lost 11-5 to Drew Allen at 135 pounds.

Oakdale improved to 4-0 in the VOL. The Bulldogs moved to .500 (2-2) in the conference standings. The Buffaloes remained winless (0-4).