Ceres High School's varsity wrestling program had two individual champions at the Valley Oak League tournament on Saturday at Weston Ranch.
Curtis Hulstine won the 125-pound crown after losing in the 112-pound final in 2009.
The senior posted a 3-0 record this year. Seeded first, Hulstine earned a 16-5 major decision victory over East Union's Marco Castaneda for the championship.
"He was focused," Bulldogs' leader Jon Nowicki said. "He was intense. He was listening to the coaches. He does stuff on the mat that amazes me."
Tony Spinella, the No. 2 seed, compiled a 3-0 record en route to a first-place finish in the 145-pound division. The senior edged Oakdale's Dustin Harris, 1-0, in the finals. Tony got an escape in the second round and fended off a reversal attempt in the final period.
"Those are the kind of matches you need to win," Nowicki said. "That's how you go to state. You could tell he wanted that league championship and he went out there and took it. He didn't give him (Harris) any room to breath."
Hulstine and Spinella were among seven Bulldog grapplers who placed in the top four in league to qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championships. The competition will be held at East Union High School this Friday and Saturday.
"If the kids come out and wrestle tough, we should have four advance," Nowicki said. "Maybe, we'll have some surprises."
Wesley Schwieger posted a 14-5 win over Sierra's Alberto Loaiza during the 103-pound, third-place match of the VOL tournament. The senior's overall record was 2-1.
"He had the heart to finish the match strong," Nowicki said.
Keegan Overbey also placed third. He won two of his three matches at 130 pounds. Overbey's final victory came against Central Valley's Anthony Centeno (major decision, 14-4).
Erik Eisenbeis took fourth at 171 pounds despite injury defaulting twice because of a sore knee. He collected a win against Lathrop in the consolation semifinals.
"He was just so much stronger than the other kid," Nowicki said.
Kevin Hartley and Mark Piceno placed fourth at 285 and 119 pounds, respectively.
Ceres High's Christian Moore (160 pounds, fifth place), Gabriel Balderas (112, fifth), Nick Moran (135, sixth) and Christian Rodriguez (140, DNP) didn't wrestle to their potential.
Moore and Balderas will make the trip to divisionals as alternates.
"It's very disappointing," Nowicki said. "They lost to guys they beat earlier in the season."
Curtis Hulstine won the 125-pound crown after losing in the 112-pound final in 2009.
The senior posted a 3-0 record this year. Seeded first, Hulstine earned a 16-5 major decision victory over East Union's Marco Castaneda for the championship.
"He was focused," Bulldogs' leader Jon Nowicki said. "He was intense. He was listening to the coaches. He does stuff on the mat that amazes me."
Tony Spinella, the No. 2 seed, compiled a 3-0 record en route to a first-place finish in the 145-pound division. The senior edged Oakdale's Dustin Harris, 1-0, in the finals. Tony got an escape in the second round and fended off a reversal attempt in the final period.
"Those are the kind of matches you need to win," Nowicki said. "That's how you go to state. You could tell he wanted that league championship and he went out there and took it. He didn't give him (Harris) any room to breath."
Hulstine and Spinella were among seven Bulldog grapplers who placed in the top four in league to qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championships. The competition will be held at East Union High School this Friday and Saturday.
"If the kids come out and wrestle tough, we should have four advance," Nowicki said. "Maybe, we'll have some surprises."
Wesley Schwieger posted a 14-5 win over Sierra's Alberto Loaiza during the 103-pound, third-place match of the VOL tournament. The senior's overall record was 2-1.
"He had the heart to finish the match strong," Nowicki said.
Keegan Overbey also placed third. He won two of his three matches at 130 pounds. Overbey's final victory came against Central Valley's Anthony Centeno (major decision, 14-4).
Erik Eisenbeis took fourth at 171 pounds despite injury defaulting twice because of a sore knee. He collected a win against Lathrop in the consolation semifinals.
"He was just so much stronger than the other kid," Nowicki said.
Kevin Hartley and Mark Piceno placed fourth at 285 and 119 pounds, respectively.
Ceres High's Christian Moore (160 pounds, fifth place), Gabriel Balderas (112, fifth), Nick Moran (135, sixth) and Christian Rodriguez (140, DNP) didn't wrestle to their potential.
Moore and Balderas will make the trip to divisionals as alternates.
"It's very disappointing," Nowicki said. "They lost to guys they beat earlier in the season."
