Ceres High School is enjoying success in multiple sports, including boys tennis, baseball, softball, girls soccer, boys golf, swimming and track and field.
“Ceres High spring sports are putting Ceres on the map,” said Brad Bussard, a fourth-year standout with the Bulldogs’ baseball program. “It’s a great thing for our school and community.”
Ceres High’s boys tennis team improved to 21-0 on the year and 10-0 in the Western Athletic Conference standings following its 8-1 victory over visiting Patterson on April 16.
“It’s nice to see everyone else doing good in their seasons,” Bulldogs star singles player Julio Ochoa said. “I see a lot of the teams out here practicing all day.”
Ceres High’s closing in on its fourth straight WAC title under longtime head coach Bryan Harden’s guidance.
The Bulldogs are two wins away from annexing their third consecutive perfect season in conference play.
Ceres High has won 40 straight league matches dating back to the 2012 season.
“We’ve worked hard,” Ochoa said. “Coach Harden has to deal with a lot. He expects everyone to stay focused every day. When someone fails to do that, he’s not too happy. It’s good at the same time. It’s what we need.”
Ceres High’s varsity baseball team improved to 16-5 on the year after rallying for a 5-4 win over Beyer in non-league play on April 13 in Modesto.
“People around school ask us how much we win by,” Bussard said. “They don’t ask us if we lose.”
The Bulldogs, first in the WAC at 5-1 as of Tuesday, are vying for their second straight WAC crown.
“Last year, our goal was to win league,” Bussard said. “This year, we expect to win league because we have the talent and dedication. We play loose and relaxed. We all have a great time. We make it fun.”
Ceres High’s second-place softball team improved to 17-6 on the year and 7-1 in the WAC after topping Livingston 13-0 on April 14.
The Bulldogs posted a perfect 12-0 record on their way to a first-place finish in conference play last season.
“We should win league again,” Ceres High new head coach Angela Durossette said
Ceres High’s girls soccer team remained in first place in the WAC standings after collecting wins against Los Banos (10-0) and El Capitan (2-0) last week.
The Bulldogs (7-1-1) are in the running for their first-ever league title.
Ceres High last competed in the playoffs in the 1990s.
“We want to win the league title,” Bulldogs head coach Miguel Saldate said. “I’m very excited just thinking about it.”
Ceres High’s varsity boys golf squad will in all likelihood finish in the second place in the WAC this year.
The top three teams in league qualify for the playoffs.
The Bulldogs won six of their first eight conference matches in 2015.
“There’s a very high standard set at Ceres High,” said Dave Fry, rookie head coach with the Bulldogs. “Success breeds success. I want my kids to get the recognition they deserve. I’m proud of what they have done. Their work ethic is second to none. They’ve become little golf junkies. I’m not the greatest or most conventional coach in the world. But I can motivate.”
Ceres High’s varsity boy swim team suffered its first loss in WAC dual-meet action this past week.
The Bulldogs (4-1) dropped to second place in the league standings following their 104-64 loss to undefeated El Capitan (6-0) on Friday in Ceres.
Ceres High’s third-place girls team (3-2) trails El Capitan and Los Banos in the conference standings.
The Bulldogs lost 105-65 to the 6-0 Gauchos.
Ceres High’s varsity boys and girls track and field teams both moved to 3-1 in the WAC dual-meet standings after sweeping crosstown-rival Central Valley last Wednesday.
“We want everybody to win,” Harden said while talking about the all-round success this spring at Ceres High. “It’s fun. It’s good for the schools. I’d like to think we’re the engine that got that going.”
