Peak Performers
1. Curtis Hulstine had a banner final season with Ceres High School's varsity wrestling program, culminating with an appearance at the CIF State Meet. The last Bulldog grappler to accomplish that feat was Michael Scott in 2002. Hulstine, a 125-pound senior, finished the year with a 45-6 record. He captured titles at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and Valley Oak League championships. Curtis advanced to State after posting several upsets on his way to a third-place finish at the Masters tournament. Hulstine had a 113-31 career record.
2. Alejandro Garcia took seventh in the 3,200 meters while making his first-ever appearance at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Track and Field Championships during his senior year at Ceres High. He finished the race in 9:29.90, nearly 11 seconds faster than his old school record. A week earlier, Alejandro won the Division III title (9:40.49). Garcia shattered 2008 Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame member and 1971 Ceres High grad Randy Mittelstadt's school record in the two-mile event.
3. Luis Ochoa compiled a 32-1 record, won his second straight Valley Oak League singles crown and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Playoffs while starring on Ceres High's varsity boys tennis team as a senior.
4. Younger sister Marifer Ochoa was just as impressive during her first season with Ceres High's varsity girls tennis team. The freshman compiled a 15-1 record in Western Athletic Conference play, including a 4-0 mark at the league championships. Marifer edged Los Banos' Alexis Barcellos 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) for the conference crown. Ochoa continued the Bulldogs' run of dominance. McKenzy Harden won Valley Oak League titles the previous three years.
5. Central Valley varsity football player Tyree Jones emerged as one of the top running backs in the Stanislaus District this fall. The 5-foot-6, 170-pound senior rushed for a program-record 1,717 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tyree concluded his prep career with a 391-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Hawks' 55-24 victory over crosstown rival Ceres High. Jones played behind Vince Lopez in 2009.
6. Daniel Ochoa, a standout junior striker on Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team, collected a school-record 26 goals and dished out 14 assists.
7. Nick Serratos had a record-breaking career with Ceres High's varsity boys water polo team. He shattered Joey Rossi's scoring marks. Serratos totaled 318 goals, including 178 in 2010. He also had 47 steals and 38 assists this season.
8. Jamie Beck had a phenomenal final season with Ceres High School's varsity volleyball team. The 6-foot-2 senior was named Western Athletic Conference MVP in a vote by the league's coaches. She accumulated 349 kills, 148 digs, 80 blocks, 47 aces and six assists.
9. Jode Johnson became the first three-time recipient of the Ceres High School Female Athlete of the Year award. She was named Valley Oak League Offensive Player of the Year in softball. The standout shortstop hit .506 with three homers, one triple, seven doubles, 18 RBIs, 29 runs, 17 stolen bases and a .696 slugging percentage in 26 games. In basketball, Jode received first-team, all-league honors after starring at guard and forward. She averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
10. Bryce Ford had an outstanding first season with Ceres High's girls track and field team. Competing at the varsity level as a freshman, Ford established herself as one of the program's greatest hurdlers. Bryce ranks second on the all-time list in the 300 hurdles as she completed the race in 47.21 seconds at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III track and field trials. Ford advanced to the Masters meet in the 300 hurdles and high jump. She was runner-up in the high jump (5-0) at Divisionals. During the Valley Oak League championships, Bryce took second in the high jump, third in the 300 hurdles, fourth in the 400 and sixth in the triple jump.
Best Team Effort
1. Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team nearly finished the year with an undefeated record. The Hawks had their 18-game unbeaten streak snapped by Vista del Lago in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship game. Central Valley, which fell 3-2 in the finals, accumulated 16 wins, one loss and two ties in 2010. The Hawks won their third straight league title during the regular season. CV placed first in the Western Athletic Conference standings with an 8-0-2 mark. Head coach Omar Leon pushed all the right buttons.
2. Ceres High's varsity boys tennis team won a share of the Valley Oak League title with a 13-1 record and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs for the third time in four years. Ceres High finally beat conference co-champion Manteca, ending a seven-match losing streak that spanned three-plus seasons. The Bulldogs finished runner-up to the Buffaloes in 2008 and 2007. Brian de la Porte coached Ceres High with assistance from Bryan Harden.
3. Coaches Jon Nowicki and Steve Festa propelled Ceres High School's wrestling program to record heights. The Bulldogs made history when they qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Section Team Dual Tournament for the first time in school history. Ceres High punched its ticket after completing a near-perfect run through the Valley Oak League dual-meet season (7-1). The Bulldogs qualified seven individuals for Divisionals. Four members advanced to Masters and one to State. Ceres High also placed first at its home tournament and defended its title at the Bear Creek Invitational.
4. Ceres High School's varsity girls golf team reached uncharted territory under first-year head coach Randy Cerny's guidance. The Bulldogs placed third in the Western Athletic Conference standings (7-5) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time in program history. Ceres High didn't field a team in 2008 and 2007 due to a lack of interest.
5. Under the tutelage of Bret Durossette, John Bussard, Julio Marquez and Fulvio Bertolotti, Ceres High's varsity baseball team finished 16-10-1 on the year and fourth in the Valley Oak League standings (10-6). The Bulldogs remained in the hunt for a playoff berth until the final week of the season. Ceres High won just six league games in 2009.
6. Ceres High School's varsity volleyball finished the year with a 17-8-2 record, participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the second straight season and tied for second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings (7-3).
7. Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo program made history. The Bulldogs placed third in the Valley Foothill Conference en route and earned their first berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs since 2005. Ceres High compiled a 6-4 record in league play.
8. Ceres High School's varsity girls tennis team managed to place third in the Western Athletic Conference and qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the fourth year in a row despite competing with a young and inexperienced lineup. Eight of the Bulldogs' 12 starters were recognized in a vote by the league's coaches.
9. Ceres High's varsity boys soccer team surprised a lot of people by contending for the Western Athletic Conference title and qualifying for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. The Bulldogs managed to place third in conference play (6-3-1) despite being hit hard by graduation. Revamped Ceres High was denied the chance to defend its section crown after losing 3-0 to eventual champion Vista del Lago in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs finished 8-9-3 on the year.
10. For the first time in three years, Ceres High School's varsity boys golf team had an individual qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championships. Two Bulldogs, Carter Silveira and Ian Couture, participated thanks to their consistent play throughout the Valley Oak League season. Silveira fired a 12-over-par 84 en route to a ninth-place tie at the VOL tournament on May 4 at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp. Carter earned second-team, all-conference honors. He racked up 56 points in league. Silveira narrowly missed advancing to divisionals in each of his first three seasons.
Editor's note: The second part of our look back at 2010 will run next week.
1. Curtis Hulstine had a banner final season with Ceres High School's varsity wrestling program, culminating with an appearance at the CIF State Meet. The last Bulldog grappler to accomplish that feat was Michael Scott in 2002. Hulstine, a 125-pound senior, finished the year with a 45-6 record. He captured titles at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and Valley Oak League championships. Curtis advanced to State after posting several upsets on his way to a third-place finish at the Masters tournament. Hulstine had a 113-31 career record.
2. Alejandro Garcia took seventh in the 3,200 meters while making his first-ever appearance at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Track and Field Championships during his senior year at Ceres High. He finished the race in 9:29.90, nearly 11 seconds faster than his old school record. A week earlier, Alejandro won the Division III title (9:40.49). Garcia shattered 2008 Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame member and 1971 Ceres High grad Randy Mittelstadt's school record in the two-mile event.
3. Luis Ochoa compiled a 32-1 record, won his second straight Valley Oak League singles crown and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Playoffs while starring on Ceres High's varsity boys tennis team as a senior.
4. Younger sister Marifer Ochoa was just as impressive during her first season with Ceres High's varsity girls tennis team. The freshman compiled a 15-1 record in Western Athletic Conference play, including a 4-0 mark at the league championships. Marifer edged Los Banos' Alexis Barcellos 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) for the conference crown. Ochoa continued the Bulldogs' run of dominance. McKenzy Harden won Valley Oak League titles the previous three years.
5. Central Valley varsity football player Tyree Jones emerged as one of the top running backs in the Stanislaus District this fall. The 5-foot-6, 170-pound senior rushed for a program-record 1,717 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tyree concluded his prep career with a 391-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Hawks' 55-24 victory over crosstown rival Ceres High. Jones played behind Vince Lopez in 2009.
6. Daniel Ochoa, a standout junior striker on Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team, collected a school-record 26 goals and dished out 14 assists.
7. Nick Serratos had a record-breaking career with Ceres High's varsity boys water polo team. He shattered Joey Rossi's scoring marks. Serratos totaled 318 goals, including 178 in 2010. He also had 47 steals and 38 assists this season.
8. Jamie Beck had a phenomenal final season with Ceres High School's varsity volleyball team. The 6-foot-2 senior was named Western Athletic Conference MVP in a vote by the league's coaches. She accumulated 349 kills, 148 digs, 80 blocks, 47 aces and six assists.
9. Jode Johnson became the first three-time recipient of the Ceres High School Female Athlete of the Year award. She was named Valley Oak League Offensive Player of the Year in softball. The standout shortstop hit .506 with three homers, one triple, seven doubles, 18 RBIs, 29 runs, 17 stolen bases and a .696 slugging percentage in 26 games. In basketball, Jode received first-team, all-league honors after starring at guard and forward. She averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
10. Bryce Ford had an outstanding first season with Ceres High's girls track and field team. Competing at the varsity level as a freshman, Ford established herself as one of the program's greatest hurdlers. Bryce ranks second on the all-time list in the 300 hurdles as she completed the race in 47.21 seconds at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III track and field trials. Ford advanced to the Masters meet in the 300 hurdles and high jump. She was runner-up in the high jump (5-0) at Divisionals. During the Valley Oak League championships, Bryce took second in the high jump, third in the 300 hurdles, fourth in the 400 and sixth in the triple jump.
Best Team Effort
1. Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team nearly finished the year with an undefeated record. The Hawks had their 18-game unbeaten streak snapped by Vista del Lago in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship game. Central Valley, which fell 3-2 in the finals, accumulated 16 wins, one loss and two ties in 2010. The Hawks won their third straight league title during the regular season. CV placed first in the Western Athletic Conference standings with an 8-0-2 mark. Head coach Omar Leon pushed all the right buttons.
2. Ceres High's varsity boys tennis team won a share of the Valley Oak League title with a 13-1 record and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs for the third time in four years. Ceres High finally beat conference co-champion Manteca, ending a seven-match losing streak that spanned three-plus seasons. The Bulldogs finished runner-up to the Buffaloes in 2008 and 2007. Brian de la Porte coached Ceres High with assistance from Bryan Harden.
3. Coaches Jon Nowicki and Steve Festa propelled Ceres High School's wrestling program to record heights. The Bulldogs made history when they qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Section Team Dual Tournament for the first time in school history. Ceres High punched its ticket after completing a near-perfect run through the Valley Oak League dual-meet season (7-1). The Bulldogs qualified seven individuals for Divisionals. Four members advanced to Masters and one to State. Ceres High also placed first at its home tournament and defended its title at the Bear Creek Invitational.
4. Ceres High School's varsity girls golf team reached uncharted territory under first-year head coach Randy Cerny's guidance. The Bulldogs placed third in the Western Athletic Conference standings (7-5) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time in program history. Ceres High didn't field a team in 2008 and 2007 due to a lack of interest.
5. Under the tutelage of Bret Durossette, John Bussard, Julio Marquez and Fulvio Bertolotti, Ceres High's varsity baseball team finished 16-10-1 on the year and fourth in the Valley Oak League standings (10-6). The Bulldogs remained in the hunt for a playoff berth until the final week of the season. Ceres High won just six league games in 2009.
6. Ceres High School's varsity volleyball finished the year with a 17-8-2 record, participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the second straight season and tied for second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings (7-3).
7. Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo program made history. The Bulldogs placed third in the Valley Foothill Conference en route and earned their first berth to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs since 2005. Ceres High compiled a 6-4 record in league play.
8. Ceres High School's varsity girls tennis team managed to place third in the Western Athletic Conference and qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the fourth year in a row despite competing with a young and inexperienced lineup. Eight of the Bulldogs' 12 starters were recognized in a vote by the league's coaches.
9. Ceres High's varsity boys soccer team surprised a lot of people by contending for the Western Athletic Conference title and qualifying for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. The Bulldogs managed to place third in conference play (6-3-1) despite being hit hard by graduation. Revamped Ceres High was denied the chance to defend its section crown after losing 3-0 to eventual champion Vista del Lago in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs finished 8-9-3 on the year.
10. For the first time in three years, Ceres High School's varsity boys golf team had an individual qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championships. Two Bulldogs, Carter Silveira and Ian Couture, participated thanks to their consistent play throughout the Valley Oak League season. Silveira fired a 12-over-par 84 en route to a ninth-place tie at the VOL tournament on May 4 at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp. Carter earned second-team, all-conference honors. He racked up 56 points in league. Silveira narrowly missed advancing to divisionals in each of his first three seasons.
Editor's note: The second part of our look back at 2010 will run next week.
