Ceres High’s varsity boys wrestling program enjoyed a successful outing at its home tournament this past weekend.

The Bulldogs totaled 131 points en route to a third-place finish at the 53rd Ceres Invitational on Saturday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Crosstown-rival Central Valley (174) took first at the 20-team tournament.

Livingston (165) was second.

Hilmar (119) and Enochs (115) rounded out the top five.

“Our goal was to take home a plaque and have an individual champion,” said coach Steve Festa. “That’s what we did. It’s an accomplishment to be proud of. We knew it was going to be a challenge. Everyone stepped up and did their best.”

The Bulldogs had seven individual placers, including Argel Arroyo, Elias Saldana, Bryan Ayala, Sonald Lal, Marcus Martinez, Nathaniel Pethyon and Angel Figueroa.

Arroyo won all three of his matches while taking first in the 220-pound weight division.

He was seeded fourth.

Argel bested Central Valley’s Thomas Carrillo (pin, 3:06), Livingston’s Felix Lorenzo (pin, 1:40) and Central Valley’s Natanael Lezama (pin, 0:17).

“The wrestling camp we went to during the summer and the support I’ve received from coaches and teammates helped me out,” Arroyo said.

“He placed higher than his seeding,” Festa stated. “He beat a league champion from last year in the semifinals.  It was great to see him be successful. He can still grow and get better.”

“It’s always been my goal to place first at the Ceres Invitational,” Arroyo added. “Seeing my whole team cheering in the corner after I won made me so happy.”

Saldana finished second with a 2-1 record at 285 pounds.

Ayala (3-1) finished third at 126 pounds.

Lal (2-2) finished fourth at 106 pounds.

Martinez (2-2) finished fourth at 120 pounds. 

Pethyon (1-2) finished fifth at 113 pounds.

Figueroa (3-2) finished sixth at 170 pounds.

“There were a lot of positives throughout the day,” Festa said. “I’m proud of my guys. They gave a good effort. But you always want more.”