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Dawgs expect to be competitive
Ceres High varsity wrestling teams lineup features a mix of veterans and newcomers
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Abel Morales and the Bulldogs have high hopes for the 2014-15 season. Morales won the 195-pound title at the Western Athletic Conference Championships last year. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High School's varsity wrestling program placed fourth in the Western Athletic Conference dual-meet standings, qualified six individuals for Divisionals and sent two grapplers to Masters last season.

The Bulldogs will seek improvement this year.

"We put in a lot of time during the offseason," Ceres High head coach Steve Festa said. "We're going to compete at a high level every day. Our team over the next couple of years is going to be very talented. We're young and hungry."

Bulldog returnees expected to contribute include Abel Morales (senior, 195 pounds), Daniel Raya (Sr., 152s), John Alba (So., 160s), Luis Camarillo (So., 120s), Diego Diaz (So., 182s), Michael Vargas (So., 113s), Jonathan Rodriguez (Jr., 182s), Roman Acosta (So., 132s), Brandon Ramirez (So., 138s), Aiden Moore (So., 145s) and Rudy Gonzales (Sr., 220s).

Tyler Fleming (Fr., 106s), Aaron Page (Sr., 126s) and Ethan Letras (Fr., 145s) are new to the team. Page transferred from crosstown-rival Central Valley.

Morales won the 195-pound title at the WAC finals his junior year. He placed third (3-1) at Divisionals and posted a 1-2 record at Masters.

Ceres High compiled a 2-4 record during the 2013-14 WAC dual-meet season.

The Bulldogs finished fifth in the standings at the conference finals.

"We have a good team," Festa said. "The guys have a lot of heart. We're going to be competing for a league championship."