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Lomeli excels in two sports at Central Jared Lomeli had no choice.
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"It was my parents' decision," he said. "I wanted to go to Ceres High at first."

Lomeli graduated from Central Catholic High School on May 28. The Ceres resident enjoyed a memorable career.

"I knew they had a great program," Lomeli said. "But I never thought we'd be this successful. And I'd have this much personal success."

Lomeli was a standout in baseball and football. He helped lead the Raiders to four state, five section and four league titles.

"Winning never gets old," Lomeli said.

"That's what I'm going to miss the most. I'm also going to miss all the support we get from the school."

Lomeli starred on the varsity baseball team for three seasons. The three-time first-team all-league selection guided the Raiders to two state, and three section and league championships.

"I was team captain for two years," he said.

Lomeli pitched and played second base.

This year, he compiled a 6-1 record with a 0.38 ERA and three shutouts for Central, which went 25-3 overall, 16-0 in the Southern League. Lomeli batted .375 (18-for-48) with one homer, nine runs and 18 RBI.

"I had the fifth lowest ERA in the state," Lomeli said.

Lomeli threw 42/3 innings of scoreless relief and tallied a run in the Raiders' Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship win over Le Grand.

In 2004, Lomeli drove in the winning run against Valley Christian in the Division V section title game. He finished the year with a .459 batting average, 25 runs and 30 RBI. Lomeli went undefeated as Central's No. 2 pitcher. He had a 6-0 record, 1.96 ERA and 25 strikeouts.

Lomeli played varsity football during his junior and senior years. He led the Raiders to two state, section and league titles.

Lomeli was a major contributor this past season.

"It was a lot more fun this year because I was on the field more," said Lomeli, who started at left guard and inside linebacker. "I did more to help win the championship."

Central won the Division V title, extended its unbeaten streak to 49 games and compiled a 13-0 record.

Lomeli registered five tackles and recovered a fumble in the Raiders' section championship win over Le Grand. He had 57 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries on the season.

In 2003-04, Lomeli totaled 17 tackles, one sack and one interception.

"He only lost one football game his whole high-school career," said Martin Lomeli, Jared's father. That lone defeat came at the JV level.

Lomeli flourished under Mike Glines, Central's legendary baseball and football coach. Glines demanded perfection at practice and during games.

"He makes you do the extra things to be better," Lomeli said.

"He's a perfectionist."

Added Glines: "He's one of the most gifted athletes I've ever coached. Everything comes natural to him."

Lomeli learned how to play baseball and football in Ceres. He was mentored by his father, a 1980 Ceres High grad. Martin coached Jared for 14 years. Jared's mother, Cindy, a 1977 Ceres High grad, provided support from the stands.

Lomeli played seven seasons with Ceres Youth Baseball, including two years with the George Costa 12&under All-Stars. He spent five seasons with the Ceres Falcons football organization.

Lomeli won't play football at the collegiate level.

"I'm going to miss the Friday nights," he said.

Lomeli will attend Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo this fall. He'll share a house with three other baseball players, including Ceres' Drew Durossette. Durossette, a 2004 Central Catholic grad, redshirted last season.

Weight training and conditioning starts in August.

"I talked with their coaches. And it sounds like a good fit for me," Lomeli said. "Hopefully, I can take what I learned from coach Glines and give it to the Cuesta program." - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier