By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Dawgs lose pair of WAC wrestling duals to Pats
•CHS boys, girls fall to 1-1 in league
joshdominguezchs.jpg
Ceres High’s Josh Dominguez pinned Beyer’s Jason Castillo in the third round of their 160-pound matchup last week. The Bulldogs lost the Western Athletic Conference dual meet, 50-27, to the visiting Patriots on Dec. 12 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s varsity wrestling program lost a pair of dual meets to Western Athletic Conference-rival Beyer this past week.

Ceres High’s boys team fell to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the WAC standings after being dominated 50-27 by the Patriots on Dec. 12 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

“I knew they were going to come in prepared and be a tough matchup for us,” Bulldogs’ head coach Steve Festa said. “I expected us to have success. They beat us. We got to accept that and take responsibility for what we didn’t do on the mat.”

Angel Figueroa and Josh Dominguez provided the lone bright spots for the Bulldogs.

“I’m pretty tired,” Figueora said. “My forearms and most of my muscles are dead.”

Figueroa edged Tyler Gallant 7-5 in overtime during their 170-pound showdown.

“I was waiting for him to make a mistake and I acted on that,” he said. 

Figueroa evened the score at 5-5 in the waning seconds of the third round.

“He was pretty strong,” Figueora said. “I was just hoping not to get pinned. I saw I wasn’t too far behind. That gave me the energy to keep going.”

Dominguez won by pin in the third round (5:37) over Jason Castillo at 160 pounds.

Ceres High’s Aram Garibay, Marcus Martinez and Josh Ofisa won by forfeit at 106, 126 and 220 pounds, respectively.

Sonald Lal lost by major decision (8-0) to Theo Miller at 160 pounds.

Bryan Erenas lost by major decision (13-0) to Daniel Lee at 145 pounds.

Brian Ayala lost by pin in the third round (5:20) to Adam Betancourt at 132 pounds.

Edison Jimenez lost by pin in the third round (4:11) to Blake Albino at 138 pounds.

Argel Arroyo lost by pin in the second round (3:20) to Alejandro Ramirez at 285 pounds.

Fernando Gonzalez lost by pin in the first round (1:08) to Jose Estrada at 152 pounds.

Israel Esparza lost by pin in the second round (2:57) to Will Strahorn at 182 pounds.

Nathaniel Pethyon lost by pin in the first round (1:34) to Christian Her at 120 pounds.

Allen Thy lost by injury default (0:08) to Raul Garcia at 195 pounds. Thy tweaked his right shoulder.

“Our season is not over. Not by a long shot. To be a top two team in our league, we got to win out. We still have a high goal as a team.”
Coach Steve Festa

“Our season is not over,” Festa said. “Not by a long shot. To be a top two team in our league, we got to win out. We still have a high goal as a team. We have to improve. That’s our only option.”

Patriots 36, Dawgs 30

Ceres High’s girls team dropped to 3-3 on the year and 1-1 in league after losing 36-30 to Beyer.

Alyssa Medina, Angelique Huerta, Dalia Martinez, Suzy Rodriguez and Vanessa Sanchez accounted for the Bulldogs’ five individual victories.


Medina, Huerta, Martinez, Rodriguez and Sanchez won by forfeit at 126, 131, 150, 189 and 235 pounds, respectively.

Jazzmin Suarez lost by pin in the first round (0:54) to Logan Kayser-Sprouse at 17 pounds.

Alexandra Lugo lost by pin in the first round (0:50) to Emily Robinson at 143 pounds.

The Bulldogs forfeited matches to the Patriots at 101, 106, 116 and 121 pounds.


“Our season is not over,” Festa said. “Not by a long shot. To be a top two team in our league, we got to win out. We still have a high goal as a team. We have to improve. That’s our only option.”

Patriots 36, Dawgs 30

Ceres High’s girls team dropped to 3-3 on the year and 1-1 in league after losing 36-30 to Beyer.

Alyssa Medina, Angelique Huerta, Dalia Martinez, Suzy Rodriguez and Vanessa Sanchez accounted for the Bulldogs’ five individual victories.


Medina, Huerta, Martinez, Rodriguez and Sanchez won by forfeit at 126, 131, 150, 189 and 235 pounds, respectively.

Jazzmin Suarez lost by pin in the first round (0:54) to Logan Kayser-Sprouse at 17 pounds.

Alexandra Lugo lost by pin in the first round (0:50) to Emily Robinson at 143 pounds.

The Bulldogs forfeited matches to the Patriots at 101, 106, 116 and 121 pounds.