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CHS girls team claims 7 medals at conference finals
varsity girls wrestling team CHS
Members of Ceres High’s varsity girls wrestling team pose for a picture with Coach Curtis Hulstine after enjoying a successful outing at the WAC Championships on Saturday in Los Banos. The Bulldogs won seven individual medals.

Ceres High’s varsity girls wrestling program had seven individuals medal at the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday at Los Banos.

“It’s the best we’ve done at a tournament all season,” first-year head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “They exceeded my expectations. I’m very proud of every single one of them.”

Rosely Ayala won the 170-pound title.

“We were the only school that had a girl at that weight,” said Hulstine.

Hulstine praised Ayala for her work ethic this year.

“She weighed 197 pounds at the beginning of the season,” he said.

Jazzmin Suarez (137s, 2-1) and A.C. Lugo (131s, 2-1) both finished second.

Suarez bested Pacheco’s Alexis Arellano (pin) and won by forfeit.

Lugo bested Los Banos’ Madison Arista (pin) and won by forfeit.

Karen Vang (150s, 3-1) and Mariana Ramirez (143s, 3-1) finished third.

Vang bested Pacheco’s Aaliyah Lucas (pin) and Grace Davis’ Selena Serna (pin), and won once by forfeit.

Ramirez bested Lathrop’s Kristina Rose (pin) and won twice by forfeit.

Angelique Huerta (121s, 2-2) and Elizabeth Mercado (101s, 2-2) finished fourth.

Huerta bested Mountain House’s Kalaynah Gooden (pin) and Pacheco’s Kayla Kalisz (pin).

Mercado won twice by forfeit.

“I had a quick talk with the team before the tournament,” Hulstine said. “They all flipped the switch. They all really surprised me. They wrestled tough.”

Ceres High placed fourth overall in team standings at the WAC Tournament.

The Bulldogs totaled 135 points.

Los Banos (248), Pacheco (168) and Mountain House (144) finished first, second and third, respectively.

Beyer (1001/2), Lathrop (96), Johansen (40) and Grace Davis (28) placed fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth.

“Before the finals, we were in third,” Hulstine said. “I was hoping we’d stay there. Mountain House edged us out.”

Ceres High grapplers will compete at the South Regionals this Friday and Saturday at Central Valley High School.

“I’m excited for them,” Hulstine said. “If they wrestle like they did this past weekend, I could see six or seven of them getting to sections. Right now is the time to peak.”