Members of Ceres High’s track and field program experienced success while competing at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships last week in Riverbank.

Bulldog teammates Jaiden Boss and Manny Mendoza both earned individual berths to Masters.

“I never question the effort of our kids,” said head coach Brett Johnson. “They compete. There are no excuses. That’s what I expect to see.”

Boss, Mendoza and Sergio Torres led Ceres High’s boys team, which finished ninth overall in the standings with a score of 24.

Lathrop (70), Liberty Ranch (66) and El Dorado (64) took first, second and third, respectively.

Boss, a junior, placed third in the 110 hurdles (15.80) and 300 hurdles (41.61).

He set personal records in both events.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Johnson stated. “He finally got healthy. His confidence is growing each meet. He’s peaking at the right time.”

Mendoza, a senior, set a personal record while placing third in the 400 (51.11).

“He’s improved consistently,” Johnson said. “Each race, he’s done a little bit better. His goal was to get into the low 51s.”

Torres, a sophomore, just missed securing a berth to Masters as he placed fourth in the 800 (2:02).

He set a personal record in the event.

“Sergio ran a great race,” Johnson said.

Torres trimmed 11 seconds off his 800 time during the course of the season.

“He was hoping to break the two-minute mark. If we specialize his training, I can see him in the mid-1:50s.”

Calen Adams placed ninth in the pole vault (10-10).

Alexander Vas Dinis placed 14th in the discus (102-01).

Ceres High’s 4x400 relay team of Mendoza, Torres, Reis Smith and Cashton Almeida placed fourth (3:33).

“We just fell a little short (of Masters)." 

Ceres High’s 4x800 relay team of Torres, Julian Barrera, Aaron Lopez and Martin Bolanos Aleman placed seventh (9:02).

Sophomore Mariah Zamora, senior Lilly Blevins and junior Ava Montesdeoca led Ceres High’s girls team, which totaled 12 points en route to finishing in 12th place.

Lathrop (101.5), Dixon (72) and Mountain House 67) took first, second and third, respectively.

Zamora set a personal record while placing second in the triple jump.

She soared 33 feet, 73/4 inches.

“She’s a first-year jumper,” Johnson said. “It was really nice to watch her growth. It’s all about confidence when you’re trying something new.”

Blevins placed fourth in the discus (100-09) and 14th in the shot put (27-04).

She just missed securing a berth to Masters in the discus.

She set a personal record in the event.

“I did surprise myself,” Blevins said while talking about her performance in the discus. “I was really happy setting a PR.” 

Blevins placed fourth in the shot put at Divisionals as a junior.

“I put pressure on myself to do better this year and it got to me,” she said. “I was just off. I was really in my own head.”

Blevins enjoyed a success-filled career with the Bulldogs.

She leaves as one of Ceres High’s all-time greatest throwers.

Blevins won the Western Athletic Conference shot put title for the second year in a row.

She had a perfect record against WAC competition.

She was undefeated in the event this season and as a junior.

“She’s a competitor,” Johnson said. “She’s very coachable. She’s a hard worker and a fun kid.”

“I was just happy to be able to make a name for myself in the sport,” Blevins added. “I came in as sophomore not knowing how to throw. I ended up loving it and stuck with it. I enjoyed track so much because of the people. A lot of my teammates have been super supportive. We all encourage each other.”

Montesdeoca placed eighth in the 100 (13.38)

She set a personal record during the trials (12.95).

Ceres High’s 4x400 relay team of Brooke Kiser, Mariah Zamora, Jaden Stahl and Jayden Garcia placed seventh (4:31).

Ceres High’s 4x100 relay team of Montesdeoca, Kaylee Rodriguez, Carmen Arce Hayes and Emily Esparza placed 13th (54.44).

Izabella Jacquez placed 13th in the discus (67-05).