Ceres High's Conner Johnson, Seth Gibson, Austin Stiles, Marcellus Boykins, Blake Borba, Christian Linarez, Myron Sichanpheng, Sydney Elness, Destiny Adams, Haleigh Leazer, Yasmine Cordova and Claudia Jimenez, and Central Valley's Andres Rojo, Gilberto Alvarez, Lisandro Gallardo and Mahogany Simon participated in the Stanislaus/Merced County Clash IV on March 18 at Oakdale High School.

Conner, Seth, Austin, Marcellus, Blake, Christian and Myron helped lead Ceres High's varsity boys track and field team to a third-place finish.

The Bulldogs totaled 57 points at the 21-team event.

Golden Valley (107) and Turlock (69.5) placed first and second, respectively.

Ceres High competed with a seven-person lineup.

"It shows the talent of kids we have," Bulldogs head coach Brett Johnson said. "I'm so happy for them. It was a great day. Nobody looks at us as a track and field school. The only thing we can control is our effort."

Seeded eighth for the finals in the shot put, Johnson placed first with a personal-best toss of 45 feet, six inches.

"It wasn't a fluke," coach Johnson said. "His next throw was 44-5."

Stiles set a personal record while placing first in the high jump (6-6).

Austin also took seventh in the 200 (23.28).

Gibson finished first in the long jump (21-01/4) and second in the 110 hurdles (15.25). He set a personal record in both events.

"He did awesome," coach Johnson said.
Boykins finished second in the triple jump (42-10) and fourth in the long jump (20-11/4).

Sichanpheng finished 14th in the triple jump (36-11/4).

Stiles, Borba, Linarez and Gibson, Ceres High's 4x400 relay team, placed fifth (3:36.25).

Central Valley's varsity boys team (six points) tied for 17th place with Enochs and Grace Davis.

Rojo placed sixth in the 400 (53.22).

Alvarez placed sixth in the pole vault (11-6).

Gallardo placed 10th in the 300 hurdles (44.26).

Ceres High's and Central Valley's varsity girls both earned eight points on their way to tying for 16th place in the team standings.

Elness took fifth in the high jump (4-10) and eighth in the triple jump (30-43/4).

Adams, Leazer, Cordova and Jimenez, Ceres High's 4x400 relay team, took sixth (4:33.34).

Simon placed second in the 300 hurdles (47.57) and 13th in the 100 hurdles (19.39).

WAC opener
The Bulldogs secured a split during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference dual-meet competition.

Ceres High's boys team cruised to a 101-46 victory over host Los Banos on March 16.

Connor Johnson swept the shot put and discus.

Stiles swept the high jump and 200.

Johnni Smith-Willis placed first in the 100.

Boykins placed first in the triple jump.

Isaac Soto placed first in the pole vault.

Ceres High's 4x100 relay team of Stiles, Smith-Willis, Gibson and Cordell Dennis placed first.

Ceres High's 4x400 relay team of Smith-Willis, Borba, Linarez and Louie Thomas placed first.

"The kids performed really well," Brett Johnson said. "We have a talented group. We got good depth. We go three deep in every event."

Ceres High's girls team lost 71-53 to Los Banos.

Azia Brewster swept the 100 hurdles, high jump and long jump.

Elness placed first in the triple jump.