Ceres High School's water polo program has a new leader.
Tracy Bull was hired to coach both the boys and girls teams.
He replaces Lesley Willems and Tim Reyes.
Willems stepped down to focus on her education. She's also assisting former Ceres High coach Sonja Raynes at Turlock High.
Reyes joined the Army.
"This is my first actual varsity job," Tracy said. "It's a dream come true. I get to coach at a high school I've supported for over 10 years."
Bull, 47, inherits a program that needs rebuilding.
Standouts Nick Serratos, Kenny Carroll, Kody Fliflet, Victor Cruz, Courtney Frampton, Allison Ghimenti and Courtney Craig all graduated.
Serratos, the 2010 Valley Foothill League MVP, shattered former Bulldog Joey Rossi's career and single-season scoring marks. Nick scored 178 times his senior year and totaled 318 goals for his career.
Carroll tallied 342 blocks while starring at goalkeeper.
Fliflet had 27 goals, 49 assists and 49 steals.
Frampton led Ceres High's girls in scoring with 75 goals.
Craig added 30 goals.
Ghimenti totaled 160 blocks.
The Bulldogs' top returners are Haley Fisicaro (Jr.), Cassidy Hines (So.), Emily Chapman (So.), Dylan Hines (Sr.), Zachary Zamaroni (Sr.) and Gianni Blandino (Sr.).
Maureen Nelson (Sr.), Laura Cahill (Jr.), Kyndal Chapman (Fr.), Jasmine Connolly (Fr.), Jacob Meyer (Sr.), Steven Smith (Sr.), Jacob Stone (Jr.) and Erik Weststeyn (Fr.) are new to the program.
"We don't have a lot of returning varsity lettermen," Bull said. "We're starting from ground zero. It's going to be challenging. We're going to rely on many people. We're not going to lose every game. We're going to beat somebody."
Ceres High's boys finished third in the VFL (6-4) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs last year.
Ceres High's girls just missed securing their first-ever trip to the postseason. Sonora (5-5) edged out the fourth-place Bulldogs (4-6) for the final spot.
Bull and his family, wife Lynn and daughters Montana and Maddie, have lived in Ceres for 14 years. Montana and Maddie both attend Ceres High.
Tracy has been affiliated with the Ceres Dolphins summer swim club for seven years and Ceres Hoopsters co-ed recreational basketball league for six seasons.
He was a coach for the Ceres Youth Soccer Organization for four years.
Bull directed teams at Central Catholic (JV girls basketball), Grace Davis (freshman girls basketball) and Modesto High (JV baseball) as well.
"I got a good reputation," Tracy said.
Bull will continue to attend Ceres High sporting events as a fan. He's purchased Bulldog booster passes the last seven years for a total cost of $700.
"I've supported the school for over a decade," Bull said. "We live in Ceres. What else is there to do? We don't have a movie theater or bowling alley."
Tracy Bull was hired to coach both the boys and girls teams.
He replaces Lesley Willems and Tim Reyes.
Willems stepped down to focus on her education. She's also assisting former Ceres High coach Sonja Raynes at Turlock High.
Reyes joined the Army.
"This is my first actual varsity job," Tracy said. "It's a dream come true. I get to coach at a high school I've supported for over 10 years."
Bull, 47, inherits a program that needs rebuilding.
Standouts Nick Serratos, Kenny Carroll, Kody Fliflet, Victor Cruz, Courtney Frampton, Allison Ghimenti and Courtney Craig all graduated.
Serratos, the 2010 Valley Foothill League MVP, shattered former Bulldog Joey Rossi's career and single-season scoring marks. Nick scored 178 times his senior year and totaled 318 goals for his career.
Carroll tallied 342 blocks while starring at goalkeeper.
Fliflet had 27 goals, 49 assists and 49 steals.
Frampton led Ceres High's girls in scoring with 75 goals.
Craig added 30 goals.
Ghimenti totaled 160 blocks.
The Bulldogs' top returners are Haley Fisicaro (Jr.), Cassidy Hines (So.), Emily Chapman (So.), Dylan Hines (Sr.), Zachary Zamaroni (Sr.) and Gianni Blandino (Sr.).
Maureen Nelson (Sr.), Laura Cahill (Jr.), Kyndal Chapman (Fr.), Jasmine Connolly (Fr.), Jacob Meyer (Sr.), Steven Smith (Sr.), Jacob Stone (Jr.) and Erik Weststeyn (Fr.) are new to the program.
"We don't have a lot of returning varsity lettermen," Bull said. "We're starting from ground zero. It's going to be challenging. We're going to rely on many people. We're not going to lose every game. We're going to beat somebody."
Ceres High's boys finished third in the VFL (6-4) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs last year.
Ceres High's girls just missed securing their first-ever trip to the postseason. Sonora (5-5) edged out the fourth-place Bulldogs (4-6) for the final spot.
Bull and his family, wife Lynn and daughters Montana and Maddie, have lived in Ceres for 14 years. Montana and Maddie both attend Ceres High.
Tracy has been affiliated with the Ceres Dolphins summer swim club for seven years and Ceres Hoopsters co-ed recreational basketball league for six seasons.
He was a coach for the Ceres Youth Soccer Organization for four years.
Bull directed teams at Central Catholic (JV girls basketball), Grace Davis (freshman girls basketball) and Modesto High (JV baseball) as well.
"I got a good reputation," Tracy said.
Bull will continue to attend Ceres High sporting events as a fan. He's purchased Bulldog booster passes the last seven years for a total cost of $700.
"I've supported the school for over a decade," Bull said. "We live in Ceres. What else is there to do? We don't have a movie theater or bowling alley."
