Ceres High’s varsity boys wrestling team had to compete at Mountain House earlier than expected due to a scheduling snafu.

The Western Athletic Conference dual was scheduled for Jan. 17 on the Bulldogs’ schedule.

The host Mustangs’ scheduled the meet for Jan. 16.

Ceres High leader Steve Festa found out about the change when he received a phone call from Mountain House’s coach at 12:30 p.m. last Wednesday to confirm the match.

“Our lineup was not what it usually is,” Festa aid. “We had to make some last-minute adjustments. Some of our kids had other commitments and couldn’t leave town, and weren’t ready to compete at their weights because they lost a day of preparation. Thankfully, we found a way to win.”

The Bulldogs still managed to win the WAC dual despite competing shorthanded.

Ceres High earned a hard-fought 42-32 victory.

“I’m proud of the team’s effort,” Festa said.

Ceres High kept its Sac-Joaquin Section team dual hopes alive.

The Bulldogs (5-1) moved into a tie for second place in the conference standings with Beyer.

First-place Grace Davis (6-0) is unbeaten.

The top two teams in the WAC qualify for team sections.

“To be where we are, it’s exciting,” Festa said. “It’s amazing what we’re doing. We only got five returning starters in our lineup.”

The winless Mustangs (0-6) challenged the Bulldogs last week.

“Mountain House was ready,” Festa said. “They have some tough kids.”

Edison Jimenez, Josh Dominguez, Sonald Lal, Bryan Erenas, Chris Hernandez, Allen Thy and Josh Ofisa helped lead the Bulldogs past the Mustangs.

Jimenez won by first-round pin over Andres Hernandez at 138 pounds.

Dominguez won by first-round pin over Jaden Gonzales at 170 pounds.

Lal, Erenas, Hernandez, Thy and Ofisa won by forfeit at 113, 145, 152, 195 and 220 pounds, respectively.

Mustangs 24, Bulldogs 12

Ceres High’s varsity girls wrestling team lost 24-12 at Mountain House on Jan. 16.

The Bulldogs (2-4) dropped to fifth place in the WAC dual standings.

The Mustangs (3-3) took over sole possession of fourth place.

Mountain House totaled 18 points via three forfeits.

 “They won based on their numbers,” Festa said. 

Bulldog Vanessa Sanchez won by third-round pin over Mustang Jessica Emerson at 235 pounds.

Jazzmin Suarez won by forfeit at 145 pounds.

Suzy Rodriguez lost by first-round pin to Ramona Jimenez at 191 pounds.

 CV 60, Buhach Colony 24

CV 60, Golden Valley 24 

Central Valley’s varsity girls wrestling program remained in second place in the Central California Conference dual-meet standings this past week after sweeping Golden Valley and Buhach Colony.

The Hawks prevailed thanks to their numbers. Central Valley’s roster features 20 grapplers. 

“It’s a testament to the girls,” coach Rob Beckhart said. “They were willing to go out and recruit so we could have a full lineup. “

The Hawks improved to 11-6 overall and 4-1 in the CCC following Thursday’s 60-24 triumph over visiting Buhach Colony.

Central Valley totaled 54 of its points on nine forfeits.

The Hawks won just one of the five contested matches.

Ellena Markham defeated Amy Urzua by first-round pin (1:19) at 150 pounds.

Central Valley’s Kelsy Naranjo, Aryanna Jimenez, Abigail Garcia, Isabella Pelayo, Carla Martinez, Nia Caraway, Esther Esceverri, Brianna Quiroz and Natalie Torres collected forfeit victories at 111, 116, 121, 126, 131, 137, 143, 160 and 170 pounds, respectively.

Central Valley pulled away for a 60-24 win against Golden Valley on Jan. 17 in Merced.

The Hawks earned 42 points via seven forfeits.

Caraway won by first-round pin (1:20) over Natalia Nieto at 143 pounds.

Martinez won by first-round pin (1:49) over Jisel Lopez at 131 pounds.

Giuliana Gutierrez won by second-round pin (2:35) over Precious Yang at 150 pounds.

Jimenez (116s), Garcia (121s), Quiroz (160s), Vanesa Contreras (106s), Claudia Gomez (126s), Samantha Espinoza (189s) and Angelina Sanchez (235s) all won by forfeit.

Central Valley made program history last season by placing first at the Western Athletic Conference Championships and dual standings.

“It’s pretty cool to watch them have the success they’ve had,” Beckhart said.

Hawks 48, Thunder 30

Cougars 45, Hawks 24

Central Valley’s varsity boys wrestling team defeated Buhach Colony and lost to Golden Valley in CCC dual-meet action this past week.

The Hawks dropped to 2-3 in the league standings after falling 45-24 to Golden Valley on Thursday in Ceres.

The Cougars improved to 4-1.

Golden Valley head coach Chopper Mello secured his 100th-career CCC dual meet victory.

 “I respect Chopper,” Beckhart said. “He’s done a lot for the sport.”

The Hawks managed to win just five individual matches versus the Cougars.

“I don’t know if we could have done any different,” Beckhart said. “We gave them all we had. Overall, we have to get better as a team.”

Central Valley’s Ruben Valenzuela won by first-round pin (1:06) against Ezekiel Trevino at 170 pounds.

Moises Galeana won by third-round pin (5:47) against Xavier Galvan at 285 pounds.

Ryan Palecek won by decision (8-3) against Luis Bautista at 182 pounds.

Kyle Hendrix won by decision (5-0) against Julio Falconi at 138 pounds.

Nataneal Lezama won by forfeit at 220 pounds.

Central Valley topped Buhach Colony 48-30 on Jan. 15 in Ceres.

“It was competitive all the way to the end,” Beckhart said. “Our kids performed well.” 

The Hawks won eight of 14 matches.

Palecek won by first-round pin (0:26) against Joshua Morales at 182 pounds.

Valenzuela won by first-round pin (0:26) against Joe Trindade at 170 pounds.

Lezama won by first-round pin (0:45) against Maneto Vazquez at 220 pounds.

Galeana won by first-round pin (1:07) against Levi Flores at 285 pounds.

Ruben Sanchez won by first-round pin (1:20) against John Boyce at 160 pounds.

Michael Miller won by first-round pin (1:31) against Alex Farias at 145 pounds.

Thomas Carrillo and Nic Genasci won by forfeit at 195 and 106 pounds, respectively.