Ceres High’s girls golf program enjoyed a success-filled season this year.

A year removed from not fielding a team due to a late coaching departure and lack of interest, the Bulldogs won a share of the Western Athletic Conference South Division title.

The 2020 season was supposed to be staged in the fall but was moved to spring because of COVID-19.

“They exceeded my expectations by a lot,” Ceres High new leader Ron Edwards said. “I would have been happy if we finished .500. We only had two-and-a-half weeks to prepare. Three of the girls have never played before. Being athletic helped a lot.”

The Bulldogs secured a share of the WAC championship with a 242-256 win over the Los Banos Tigers on March 23 at St. Stanislaus Golf Course.

Sophomore Alysabeth Marquez led the field with a 42.

Senior Bethani Thornberry and freshman Isabella Turner shot 44 and 48, respectively.

The Arendt twins, sophomores Dominique and Jazmyne, had identical scores of 48.

“I’m happy,” Edwards said. “They did a great job.”

Ceres High amassed an 8-2 record in conference play.

“This has been an enjoyable season,” Edwards said. “It makes coaching worth it. I thought I was going to have a miserable time and be stressed out.

“I’m proud of them,” he added. “Everyone improved. They listened and learned. They had fun. I can’t explain how good they’ve gotten. I’ll never forget this season.”

The Arendt sisters plan to play volleyball next fall instead of golf.

 “I asked them if they were going to play golf again,” Edwards said. “They just looked at me and smiled. They love the other sport.”

Thornberry will graduate this June.

Marquez and Turner will both return to the team.

 “I’m hoping other girls on campus want to play golf based on the team we had this year,” Edwards said. “You can get better.”