The Ceres Pups Wrestling Club has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2015.

“It’s amazing to see how much our club grows year after year,” said, Steve Festa, founder and president. “We’ve built a family. We got great leaders and mentors.”

More than 80 boys and girls, aged 4-13, signed up for the club’s 2023-24 season, which got underway earlier this month and ends on March 17.

The Pups’ roster features 45 wrestlers and 36 cheerleaders.

Membership dues are $40 per month for both wrestling and cheerleading. 

“We’re preparing them for the next level,” Festa said. “While they’re with us, they learn, get better and have fun. We also provide college scholarships. I think that’s amazing.”

“We’ll have close to 100 members when our season is in full swing,” he added. “Some kids are playing other sports right now.”

Ceres has two wrestling coaches and cheerleading coaches.

The Pups’ wrestling leaders are head coach Tony Ormonde and assistant Nathan Pimentel.

Ceres’ cheer leaders are head coach Melissa Ruger and assistant Brittany Caraveo.

“We’re re-creating the same great opportunities and experiences we had when we were their age,” Festa said. “I had such great coaches and mentors in my life. That’s what everybody needs to have success. Wrestling gave me personal confidence.”

Ruger and Ormonde started coaching with the Pups in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

“Melissa has been our head coach since the very beginning,” Festa said. “She was the head coach at Ceres High when we asked her to help us. Her expectations are very high. She pushes the girls to be their very best.”

“We’re lucky to have Tony has our head coach,” he added. “He’s a leader. He shows you how to do things the right way.”

Wrestlers practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Pups House, a 1,500-square-foot training facility located at 3037 5th Street in downtown Ceres.

Competitive cheerleaders practice at Ceres High on Wednesdays.

Beginner cheerleaders practice at the Pups House on Tuesdays.

Both cheer squads practice at Ceres High on Fridays.

The Pups House opened in February of 2021.

“It’s a place where we work hard but have fun doing it,” Festa said. “It’s a good balance.”

Festa founded the Ceres Pups Club nine years ago.

“I didn’t create it alone,” he said.  “We wanted to give opportunities to Ceres wrestlers. It turned into more than I anticipated. It gives me goosebumps thinking about what we’re doing.”

The Pups competed at the USA Wild West Folkstyle Championship on Oct. 1 at Cordova High School.

Ceres had two individual champions, including Braydon Perales (Novice 90/95) and Rambo Jacuinde (Novice 100/105s).

Easton Caraveo (Bantam 55) and Landon Ormonde (Middle School 70/77) both placed second.

Able Zuniga (Novice 90/95s) finished third.

Ceres cheerleaders performed at the Ceres Bands, Brews & BBQ event at George Costa Fields on Saturday.