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Seven Bulldogs advance to sub-section meet
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The last time Ceres High's Johnny Bridges wrestled Downey's Daniel Ippolito, Bridges built an early lead and held on for a 10-7 victory.

Bridges wasn't as fortunate during the second meeting, which took place at the Modesto Metro Conference Tournament on Friday at Johansen High School.

Ippolito, the No. 2 seed, upset Bridges, the No. 1 seed, in the 112-pound title match. Ippolito won by pin in the second round.

"For me to get pinned, it's totally unacceptable," Bridges said. "Especially when I beat him two weeks ago."

Bridges compiled a 2-1 record. He received a bye in the first round. He beat Johansen's C.J. Cota 15-10 in the second round.

Bridges and six of his teammates qualified for the Sac-Joaquin South Delta Sub-Section Wrestling Meet. The top four placers advanced.

"More than half of our guys are going on," said Ceres coach Steve Vieira. "I'm pretty happy with that."

Mike Tubera and Nathan Niemeyer also placed second.

Downey senior Bryan Conrad pinned Tubera in the second period of the 119-pound title match. Tubera trailed 7-1.

"I did pretty good today," Tubera said. "I never thought I'd get this far."

Tubera compiled a 2-1 record. He received a bye in the first round. Tubera defeated Davis' Billy Pearson 7-5 in overtime in the second round.

"I feel really good about it (my performance) because I'm just a freshman," Tubera said.

Downey's Casey Carver pinned Niemeyer in the first period of the 275-pound title match. Carver outweighed Niemeyer by 40 pounds.

"He popped my arm and I gave up after that," Niemeyer said.

"I should have beat him."

Niemeyer compiled a 2-1 record. He received a bye in the first round. His second-round match didn't last long. He pinned Davis' Leo Daddario in the first period.

"I'm pretty proud of myself," Niemeyer said. "I'm just a sophomore."

Jason Hardenbergh, Marc Dias and Steven Chavez all placed third.

Hardenbergh compiled a 2-1 record at 103 pounds. The freshman received a bye in the first round. In the semifinal round, Hardenbergh pinned Davis' Tony Rubio in the second period.

Dias compiled a 3-1 record at 135 pounds. The sophomore defeated Modesto's Adrian Rodriguez 4-3, Beyer's Cody Cobiser 10-6 and Davis' Bobby Perez 5-0.

Chavez won two of three matches at 160 pounds. The freshman received a bye in the first round. He edged Modesto's Victor Cano 16-14 in the third round.

Jake Keidel placed fourth at 140 pounds. The sophomore won two of four matches. He pinned Beyer's Ernie Garcia in the third period and defeated Johansen's Mike Watkins by decision, 5-0. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier