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Pernetti, Ford voted Ceres High School's top all-round athletes
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Ceres High Athletic Director Shawna Nunes tabulated the votes.

Juniors Jimbo Pernetti and Bryce Ford were declared winners of the Bulldogs Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, respectively, on May 29.

"When I found out today, I was pretty flattered," Jimbo said. "It's a big honor."

Pernetti starred in both baseball and boys basketball.

Jimbo, a standout batter and shortstop, was selected Western Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player in a vote by the league's head coaches.

Pernetti played a major role while leading Ceres High to a runner-up finish in the WAC standings (8-4).

Jimbo led the conference in batting average (.556), homers (2), runs (17) and slugging percentage (.889). He was second in doubles (6), and third in RBIs (13) and on-base percentage (.550). Pernetti committed just three errors on defense.

Jimbo was an honorable-mention pick on the hardwood. The 6-foot-1 forward averaged 10.1

points and 8.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs, who placed third in league play (7-5).

Pernetti's father, Jim, won Los Banos High School's Top Male Athlete award his senior year in 1975.

"I'm proud of him," Jim said. "You don't know how much pressure I've put on him over the years and how he's responded. He's persevered to get to where he's at academically and athletically. He's not out goofing around with the other kids. He's working hard."

Ford earned first-team all-league honors in three sports, including cross country, girls basketball and track and field.

"She's easily the best girl athlete in the school right now," said Glenn Driskell, Bryce's cross country and track and field coach. "She's a lot like (2010 Ceres High grad and three-time Bulldog Athlete of the Year winner) Jode Johnson. Jode was a standout in softball and basketball, and a really good volleyball player. I think Bryce's best sport is track. I can see her being a heptathlete in college."

Bryce qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet in three individual events, including the 300 hurdles, 100 hurdles and high jump.

She placed second in the 300 hurdles (46.37) and 100 hurdles (16.06), and fourth in the high jump (5-0) at the Division IV-V Championships.

She swept the 100 hurdles (16.28), 300 hurdles (47.92) and high jump (5-1), and finished second in the triple jump (34-10) at the WAC Finals.

Ford was named to the WAC First Team in basketball. She led the conference in scoring (14.5 ppg). She also averaged 8.5 rebounds.

Bryce took fourth while propelling Ceres High to a first-place finish at the WAC Cross Country Championships.

Ford and Pernetti were both presented Bulldog trophies.

"It's pretty cool," Jimbo said.