Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s track and field programs have both experienced a spike in their participation numbers this season.
The Hawks’ roster size grew two-fold from 50 to 114 students-athletes.
The Bulldogs will have 135 competitors, up from 25 a year ago.
“I was surprised,” Central Valley head coach Michael Mrgudic said. “I knew we had the potential to have that size of a roster based on how large our school is. I think it’s great. It’s going to be a huge benefit to our program. We have great coaches. We have good team culture. It’s a really positive atmosphere. I’m optimistic about our team’s future.”
“We have a quality coaching staff,” Ceres High leader Brett Johnson stated. “We create a fun environment kids want to join. We make it a family atmosphere. We build on trust, respect and encouragement. We talk to the kids about cheering on their teammates.”
The Bulldogs’ top returners are Bryan Gallardo (Sr.), Aaron Lopez (Sr.), Manny Mendoza (Sr.), Calen Adams (Jr.), McCoy Adams (Jr.), Tre Karriem (Jr.), Reis Smith (Jr.), Alex Vas Dinis (Jr.), Sergio Torres (So.), Carmen Arce-Hayes (Sr.), Lilly Blevins (Sr.), Serena Chalk (Sr.), Emily Esparza (Jr.), Jaden Stahl (Jr.) and Brooke Kiser (So.).
Ceres High’s top newcomers are Cashton Almeida (Fr.), Julian Barrera (Fr.), Angelo Estrada (Fr.), Marissa Renteria (Sr.), Ava Montesdeoca (Jr.), Nehemiah Valenzuela (Jr.), Mariah Zamora (Jr.), Camila Mendoza Rodriguez (So.), Arrayah Stallworth (So.), Layla Duran (Fr.) and Jayden Garcia (Fr.).
The Hawks’ top returners are Damian Carrillo (Sr.), Kevin Mendoza Garcia (Sr.), Jaden Navarro (Sr.), Anthony Ramirez (Sr.), Xavier Ramirez (Sr.), Daniel Leon (So.), Ernesto Martinez (So.), Lliria Lira Trinidad (Sr.), Jasmin Madriz (Sr.), Tarnjot Kaur (Jr.), Eliana Tamayo (Jr.), Aaliyah Jauregui (So.) and Aaliyah Smith (So.).
Central Valley’s top newcomers are Ryan Alfonso (So.), Cristian Gudino (Fr.), Enoc Reyes (Fr.), Adam Victorino (Fr.), Rylee Randez (Jr.), Valeeya Carr (Fr.), Aaralyn Jauregui (Fr.), Lilyanna Madrigal (Fr.) and Kassandra Torres (Fr.).
“We’re very young,” commented Johnson. “I still expect us to be competitive and show improvement.”
“Everyone is focused on doing what they’re supposed to do, while at the same time having fun,” Mrgudic stated. “I want to see growth in terms of improvement. I want to see individuals fall in love with the process of trying to get better.”
The Hawks will face Patterson, Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced, Golden Valley and El Capitan during the Central California Conference season.
The Bulldogs will battle Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Los Banos, Pacheco, Lathrop and Mountain House during the Western Athletic Conference campaign.
Ceres High will have no home meets this year as CUSD Stadium is being renovated.
Ceres High’s boys and girls placed third and fifth, respectively, at the 2023 Western Athletic Conference Championships.
On the boys side, Karriem took second in the triple jump (39-9).
Mendoza took second in the 400 (52.16).
Gallardo took fifth in the discus (114-6).
Vas Dinis took 12th in the discus (106-6).
Lopez took 16th in the 800 (2:25.54).
Ceres High’s 4x100 relay team of Mendoza, Ricky Stanley, Tarrell Lee-Gill and Lebron Stallworth took fourth.
Ceres High’s 4x400 relay team of Mendoza, Ricky Stanley, Cesar Bolanos Aleman and Dakota Adams took fourth.
On the girls side, Blevins took first in the shot put and 10th in the discus.
Chalk took fifth in the shot put (26-4).
Arce Hayes took 18th in the 100 (15.26) and 19th in the 200 (32.62).
A total of 19 Bulldogs qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships.
Blevins took fourth in the shot put (28-9).
Karriem took sixth in the triple jump (39-3).
Mendoza took seventh in the 400 (52.65).
Central Valley’s girls finished seventh at the 2023 CCC Championships.
Central Valley’s boys didn’t post a team score at the league finals due to a lack of numbers.
On the girls side, Lira Trinidad took fourth in the pole vault (8-2) and 11th in the 400 (1:11.83).
Madriz took 14th in the discus (56-5) and 16th in the 400 (1:21.18).
On the boys side, Navarro took eighth in the 300 hurdles (47.98) and 10th in the 110 hurdles (20.53).
Xavier Ramirez took eighth in the long jump (17-31/2) and 19th in the 100 (12.46).
Mendoza Garcia took 15th in the 3,200 (14:05.08), 17th in the 1,600 (5:44.22) and 21at in the 800 (2:40.23).
Carrillo took 17th in the shot put (36-2) and 22nd in the discus (92-6).
Ceres High and Central Valley will both compete in the same conference next season.
The Hawks are moving from the CCC to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s realignment plan.
“Reality is setting in,” Mrgudic stated. “We want to end our time in the CCC with as much success as possible. I’m looking forward to being in the WAC with Ceres High. It will be good for all of Ceres. It’s a small town. Everyone knows each other.”
“To me, it’s no different,” said Johnson. “They’re just going to be in our league. We never lost the rivalry. We see them at invitationals.”
