Ceres High’s youth-laden varsity girls cross country team continues to surprise its head coach.

The first-place Bulldogs improved to a perfect 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference with a 22-33 victory over previously-unbeaten Pacheco last Wednesday on the road.

“The girls are really excited about where we’re at in the league standings,” Ceres High leader Katie Thiele said. “They’re definitely ahead of schedule. It’s exciting to see.”

Destiny Suarez led the Bulldogs with a second-place finish versus the Panthers.

She completed the 3.1-mile race in 23 minutes, 51 seconds.

“Destiny sets the bar,” Thiele said. “All the other girls look up to her.”

Ceres High teammates Karina Baez (24:52), Carmen Ramirez (25:47), Jacqueline Rodriguez (28:20) and Andrea Contreras (28:41) took third, fourth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

Rodriguez is a junior.

Baez, Ramirez and Contreras are freshmen.

“Even though we’re doing well this season, it’s still a rebuilding year,” Thiele said. “We have a bunch of really talented young girls. A lot of them practiced throughout summer. That’s definitely made a difference.” 

Panthers 22, Dawgs 33

Ceres High’s varsity boys cross country team lost 22-33 to Pacheco last week.

“We didn’t have our best race,” Thiele said. “It will be a lot closer at league finals. We’ll be more prepared.”

The Bulldogs (2-2) dropped to third place in the Western Athletic Conference dual standings.

The first-place Panthers (4-0) remained unbeaten against WAC competition.

Ceres High’s Luis Yepez finished second with a time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds against Pacheco.

Bulldog teammates Aaron Alarcon (19:24), Bryan Erenas (20:09), Fernando Cardoza (20:37) and Daniel Yepez (21:01) placed fifth, seventh, ninth and 10th, respectively.

“There’s a lot more room for improvement,” Thiele said. “We haven’t had a race where all five of our top runners have had a great day.”

The Bulldogs will host the Los Banos Tigers today at 3 p.m.

The winner of the girls dual will take over sole possession of first place in the WAC.

“They have a really good team,” Thiele said. “It’s going to be a good test for our mental strength.”