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CHS wrestlers third at home
Four Bulldogs advance to finals at Ceres Invit.
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Bulldog Frankie Mendez defended his 105-pound title at the Ceres tournament. - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Ceres High's varsity wrestling team had a solid showing at its home tournament this past weekend.

The Bulldogs totaled 158 points on their way to a third-place finish at the 51st Ceres Invitational.

Pitman (206) and Buhach Colony (186.50) finished first and second, respectively.

Crosstown-rival Central Valley (131) was fourth.

"At this point of the year, it's about getting mat time," head coach Steve Festa said. "We tested ourselves against high-level competition. I'm really excited about the results."

Four of Ceres High's nine grapplers advanced to the finals.
Seeded first, Frankie Mendez won the 105-pound title for the second consecutive season.

Mendez compiled a 2-0 record.

Frankie collected wins against Summerville's Brennan Dibble (decision) and Pitman's Trey Peacock (pin).

"In my four years as head coach, this is the first time I've had an athlete repeat," Festa said. "It's historical. He fulfilled his expectations. There was a lot of pressure. He still has more to accomplish this year."

Diego Diaz (2-1 record 195 pounds), Aiden Moore (2-1, 170s) and John Alba (3-1, 160s) all took second in their respective weight divisions.

Second-seeded Diaz beat Big Valley Christian's Josh Gentry (pin) and Mariposa's Ryan Leonard (decision).

First-seeded Moore beat Deer Valley's Brando Orozco (pin) and Central Valley's James Murphy (decision).

Second-seeded Alba beat Livingston's Richardo Alcaraz (pin), Mariposa's Evan Sanders (pin) and Summerville's Zach Marquez (decision).

Spencer Nelson (3-1, 182s), Jaden Cooper (4-1, 145s) and Luis Camarillo (3-1, 132s) placed third.

Nelson beat Deer Valley's Oseyiomon Oiyemhonlan twice (decision, pin), and Livingston's Brayan Negrete once (pin).

Cooper beat Hughson's Aiden Castro (pin), Linden's Triston Sizuela (pin), Pitman's Ray Weigger (pin) and Johansen's Mateo Gordon (forfeit).

Camarillo beat Central Valley's Ryan Hendrix (decision), Buhach Colony's Andrew Correia (pin) and Central Catholic's Richard Delapaz (decision).

Conner Johnson (2-2, 220s) and Shanald Lau (1-2, 113s) both took fifth.

Johnson beat Buhach Colony's Raymond Garcia (pin) and Central Valley's Angel Rico (pin).

Lau beat Hughson's Richard Locke (decision).

"It was a good showing for our program," Festa said. "This is a special group."