Founded in 2015, the Ceres Pups Wrestling Club focuses on developing confident, respectful and resilient athletes through hard work, perseverance and dedication.

“It’s really cool what we got going on,” said Steve Festa, co-founder, president and coach. “We put the kids first. By doing that, we keep growing every year.”

Approximately 68 boys and girls, aged 4-14, signed up for the club’s 2026-27 Folkstyle season, which got underway on Aug. 3.

“It’s humbling,” Festa said. “I’m happy and grateful. Our families are amazing.”

The Pups’ roster features 41 wrestlers and 27 cheerleaders.

“We have a lot of beginners,” Festa said.

Cost of registration was $120 per participant. The fee covered the first month and included a set of Pups-branded attire, consisting of a t-shirt and shorts.

Additional membership dues are $60 per month.

“We’re recreating the opportunities we had when we were young,” Festa said.

Ceres has eight wrestling leaders, including Jake Whittenburg (head coach), Matt Whittenburg (assistant head coach), Ryan Caraveo (assistant/strength and conditioning coach), Mark Kangas (assistant coach), Joaquin Aceves (assistant coach), Jake Castle (assistant coach), Wesley Schwieger (assistant coach) and Irving Navarro (assistant coach).

Jake Whittenburg was promoted to head coach.

“I’ve been coaching with the Pups the last four years,” he said. “We have a very, strong family feel to our club. We get to develop relationships with the wrestlers and their parents.”

Wrestlers train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Pups House, a 1,500-square-foot training facility located at 3037 5th Street in downtown Ceres.

“We’re doing strength and conditioning, along with technique,” Festa said. “It helps tremendously. It’s the only way to prepare your body for competition. We also talk about nutrition.”

“Wrestling is a hard sport,” Jake Whittenburg stated. “It shows you how far you can push yourself. It carries over to a lot of things in life, not just the sports aspect. The ones that stick it out, and prove they can do it, that’s enjoyable to watch.”

The Pups have six cheer leaders, including Melissa Ruger (head coach), Lina Sather (head coach), Debbie Ruger (assistant coach) Martiza Lopez (assistant coach), Caren Altamirano (assistant coach) and Esha Castle (assistant coach),

“I’ve danced and cheered my whole life,” said Melissa Ruger, Pups’ founding cheer coach. “I have a passion for helping children. I like to help make their dreams and wishes come true.”

“I’ve coached some of the girls for seven to eight years,” she added. “I love seeing the progression.”

Performance team members practice on Tuesday and Thursday.

Members of Ceres’ two competitive teams (14U and 10U) practice on Tuesday and Thursday, and every other Sunday.

“We’re not just here to coach,” Melissa Ruger said. “We’re here to build relationships. We’re here to be a part of their journey and change their lives. That’s important.”

Festa (president), Brian Borges (vice president), Brittany Caraveo (secretary), Jake Whittenburg (wrestling treasurer) and Debbie Ruger (cheer treasurer) make up the Ceres Pups’ Board.

“We’re lucky to have a lot of great people,” Festa said. “We’re willing to put in the time and energy to prepare the kids for high school and beyond.”

Festa co-founded the Ceres Pups Wrestling Club 12 years ago.

Cheer was added in 2018.

“We’re a not-for-profit club,” he said. “We put everything back into the kids, equipment and facility.”

Wrestling has been a part of Festa’s life for 30-plus years.

The 1998 Ceres High School graduate/former Bulldog grappler competed for the first time in the seventh grade at Mae Hensley Jr. High.

“Wrestling is a really great foundation for everything,” Festa said. “It gave me confidence I didn’t have. It changed my life in a positive way.”

“I had great coaches,” he added. “I want to be supportive and a great mentor.”