The Ceres Pups Wrestling Club celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this month.

Congressman Adam Gray’s office recognized the club for its service to the community and youth during the Aug. 1 celebration at the Pups House, which is located at 3037 Fifth Street.

“We really value the families that come to the Pups,” said Steve Festa, president and co-founder. “They trust us with their young wrestlers and cheerleaders. It’s a big responsibility. We don’t take it lightly. We’re going to keep pushing to do our best every year.”

Current and past members attended the anniversary celebration.

A dunk-tank booth was set up, along with an obstacle course for kids.

The Pups also grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

“It was a cool atmosphere. We had more than 60 people show up to celebrate with us. It was open to everybody. We barbecued a whole bunch of food for everyone.”

Approximately 31 cheerleaders will compete for the Pups during the 2025-26 season.

The Pups currently have open registration for wrestling.

To sign up, contact Festa at 209-918-5606 or email cerespupswrestlingclub@gmail.com.

The Pups had roster sizes of 48 for wrestling and 23 for cheerleading in 2024-25.

Participants ranged from ages, 5-13.

The club will stop taking signups in September.

Tony Ormonde, Mark Kangas, Jake Whittenburg, Mike Tubera and Matt Whittenburg are Ceres’ five main wrestling coaches.

Ormonde (head coach), Kangas (assistant head coach) and Jake Whittenburg (assistant coach) work with the Pups’ advanced wrestlers.

Tubera (head coach) and Matt Whittenburg (assistant) work with Ceres’ beginner grapplers.

The Pups’ primary coaches for cheer are Melissa Ruger (competitive), Lina Sather (intermediate) and Brittany Caraveo (littles).

Debbie Ruger is Ceres’ first-ever tumbling coach.

The Pups’ board consists of Festa (president), Brian Borges (vice president) Joshua Swartz (secretary), Tony Ormonde (treasurer), Mike Borges (advisor) and Brittany Caraveo (advisor).

Retired Ceres Deputy Police Chief Mike Borges has been affiliated with the Pups Club since its inception.

“I’m excited with what we’ve accomplished and how we’ve grown,” Festa said. “I’m not surprised by our success. We give it our all. But I don’t take it for granted because things can change. I appreciate one year at a time.”

Festa takes a great deal of pride in what he’s witnessed since co-founding the Pups Wrestling Club in 2015.

“We’re recreating the experiences we had with wrestling. We’re changing lives. The most important thing is we care.”

“I’m appreciative of being able to do this. It’s a huge commitment. I do have a passion for it.”

Stephen Festa Jr., Steve’s 6-year-old son, is also passionate about wrestling. 

He’s a third-year grappler.

Daughter Alana, a freshman at Ceres High, did Pups cheer for four years and wrestling for two years.

Wife Jamie is always by Steve’s side.

She helped grill food at the anniversary event.

“I couldn’t do this without her support,” said Festa. “My wife is amazing in so many ways. She’s my rock.”

Festa attended Ceres High, Mae Hensley Jr. High and Carroll Fowler Elementary.

Festa, a 1998 CHS grad and former Bulldog grappler, coached wrestling at Ceres High for 13 years. 

He helped coach crosstown-rival Central Valley’s wrestling program during the school’s first year of existence.

He served as head coach of Mae Hensley Jr. High wrestling for the past two seasons.

Festa will be an assistant coach at Ceres High this winter.

“I’ve been in this community a long time. I grew up here. I take pride in that. I want to help the future generations. I owe everybody that wants to see us succeed.”