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Dawgs open WAC wrestling season with lopsided win
Ceres High 60, Los Banos 17
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Daniel McElwain and Ceres Highs varsity boys wrestling program began defense of their Western Athletic Conference title last week. The Bulldogs coasted to a 60-17 win over the Los Banos Tigers on Jan. 3 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High's varsity boys wrestling team began its title defense with a resounding 60-17 victory over visiting Los Banos on the first day of the 2018 Western Athletic Conference season on Jan. 3 at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs topped the Tigers last week thanks to eight wins by forfeit.

Ceres High had an insurmountable 48-0 lead before the dual started.

"It was pretty disappointing they didn't have a full lineup to compete against," Ceres High senior grappler Jaden Cooper said. "We would have won either way."

The Bulldogs won two of the six contested matches.

Cooper won by pin (1:43) against Jacob Johnson at 152 pounds.

Daniel McElwain won by pin (1:11) against Colton Graham at 220 pounds.

Christian Ibarra lost by decision (12-5) to Nathanial Ruiz at 145 pounds.

Ethan Letras lost by decision (12-3) to Saul Madriz at 160 pounds.

Marcus Martinez lost by technical fall (19-4) to Sebastian Vergara at 126 pounds.

David Caravalho lost by technical fall (18-3) to Gabriel Mendoza at 182 pounds.

Ceres High's Sonald Lal, Shanald Lal, Rafael Ortiz, Brian Ayala, Edison Jimenez, Andrew Gibson, Spencer Nelson and Elias Saldana were awarded forfeit victories at 106, 113, 120, 132, 138, 170, 195 and 285 pounds, respectively.

The Bulldogs notched their sixth-straight conference victory dating back to last season. "We go into every dual meet with the same attitude," Cooper said. "We're going to do everything we can to win. We have a good chance at going undefeated again. But we have a lot of work to do."

Ceres High claimed WAC overall, tournament and dual titles in 2017. "People are expecting us to do well just like last year," Cooper said. "It adds some pressure."

The Bulldogs will compete against the host Patterson Tigers today at 6 p.m.