Garcia gets redemption at nationals

After his bittersweet fifth-place showing at last month's CIF State Championships, it looked like Turlock High wrestler Fabian Garcia could no longer wrestle. His voice was low, his head was down. He couldn't hide his sadness and dissatisfaction in his post-match interviews.

Saavedra survives, becomes national champ

For his trip to Ohio, Pitman High freshman Emilio Saavedra carried with him more than just his clothes and wrestling gear. Metaphorically speaking, he had a giant monkey on his back.

TC student-athlete receives scholarship award

Cheyenne Perry, a four-year volleyball and softball player at Turlock Christian High, has been awarded scholarship money as one of 49 winners of the A. Dale Lacky/CSEA Scholarships for outstanding performances in athletics, community service and academics during high school.

Feeling the heat

ATWATER - Clay Cozzitorto just had one more inning left to pitch. He had shut out his opponents all afternoon, and he was mentally prepared to face them again. But there was something he wasn't ready for.

Surging Pitman softball tops Turlock for first win in 3 years

The goal is always to beat Turlock High. But for the Pitman High softball team, some years are just wishful thinking.

High school round up

With one of their best pitchers on the mound, the Turlock High baseball team exacted revenge over Merced High on Wednesday afternoon in Merced. Sophomore Nick Voumard pitched three scoreless innings and the Bulldogs won 6-0 to regain control of the Central California Conference.

THS’ Moreno captures national title

This is how much Turlock High junior Alexia Moreno and Santa Fe High's Tamara Tillman wanted a national wrestling title: In the second round of their 121-pound final match of the USAW Girls Folkstyle National Tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla., last weekend, the two bumped heads in an attempt to gain a shot at the same exact time.

After being stadium-less, Turlock athletes have a place to practice, excel

It was an oh-so ordinary day for the Turlock High track and field athletes on Monday afternoon at Joe Debely Stadium. Hurdlers and jumpers loosened their limbs on an artificial turf field. Runners warmed up on an all-weather track. Pole vaulters battled a slight wind down a marked runway before extending skyward.

Area swimmers hope to make a splash this season

Swimming might be one of the tougher spring sports. It's not just because of the amount of pain a swimmer puts himself or herself through by swimming lap after lap. In this sport, there aren't too many days off.

Bulldogs suffer first season loss

It wasn't like Turlock High baseball didn't have opportunities.

Pitman bests Turlock in soccer upset

Asked to recount her version of the goal that gave her Pitman High girls soccer team its first win over crosstown nemesis Turlock High in six years, senior forward Hannah Verschelden could not provide all the details. All she remembered was she wanted to lace the ball with some power and kick it away from the goalkeeper.

Track athletes hope to develop as season progresses

It's still early in the track and field season, but athletes from Pitman, Turlock, Turlock Christian, Denair and Hilmar high schools have already been challenged. It's not just all the time and effort they have to put in that will help them become faster or stronger. It's the weather.

Softball teams look to overcome challenges

Here's the scoop on this season's softball teams.

It’s a new season, but soccer teams have same goals of reaching playoffs

To say the least, there will be some shakeups in high school girls soccer this season.

Bulldogs dominate tournament

In the 27th Atch Pedretti Tournament last week, the Turlock High baseball team outscored opponents 34-3. That's just one example of how dominant the Bulldogs have been.

Pride drops early lead to Merced

Pitman High's girls basketball team suffered its fourth straight loss Thursday night when they hosted Merced High. The Bears (2-3 CCC) rallied in the second half to overtake the Pride (3-3 CCC), finishing the game 42-38. Pitman controlled the game early on, leading 12-3 at the end of the first quarter. Merced's offensive schemes were ineffective and its players seemed disoriented as Pitman's defense forced turnover after turnover. Alex DeChari's inside presence and ...

Turlock, Pitman wrestling teams each earn dual wins

Turlock High's wrestling team continued its impressive streak of dual wins on Wednesday. The Bulldogs (3-0 CCC) defeated Buhach Colony High 51-18, marking their 22nd consecutive dual win of the season. Turlock claimed 10 of the dual's 14 matches, recording three pins, two major decisions and one tech. The Bulldogs' quest for their seventh Central California Conference title in the last 10 years will hinge on their performance in the final two conference ...

Pitman orchestrates dramatic comeback in overtime win against Turlock

Turlock comes out on top; Missed shots foil Pitman’s chances at victory

It was a festival of fouls Tuesday night when the girls of Pitman High stepped onto the court in Bulldog Arena to face Turlock High. The Bulldogs (4-1 CCC) defeated the Pride (3-2 CCC) in their first meeting of the season 37-27, finishing second in the first round of CCC matchups. Pitman tried to establish an inside presence with Alex DiChari early in the game, scoring three points in the opening minutes of ...

Turlock falls to Cougars at home

Turlock High had a rough outing against Golden Valley High Friday night. The Bulldogs (3-1 CCC) struggled to hit their stride as the Cougars (3-1 CCC) handed them their first league loss by a score of 65-38. "Golden Valley is better than what they've been playing the last few games," Turlock's head coach Doug Cornfoot said. "We were hoping they would have a slump with their three-point shooting for one more game." <p ...

Pitman comes close, but falls short against Buhach

Pitman High's girls basketball team hosted Buhach Colony High Thursday night in its biggest game of the season so far. The Pride (3-1 CCC) and Thunder (4-0 CCC) played a physical, back and forth game in an attempt to maintain a perfect league record and claim a spot atop the CCC. Both teams entered the gym determined to win but it was the Thunder who left with their undefeated record intact, beating Pitman 45-42. ...

Pride overpowered by Cougars

Pitman High's wrestlers knew Wednesday's dual against Golden Valley High was going to be tough. Still, the Pride (1-1 CCC) entered their second dual of the year against the Cougars in high fashion, warming up to a theatrical multi-media introduction that projected a high degree of confidence. Unfortunately for Pitman, the intensity didn't translate onto the mat as the Cougars claimed victory 52-17. "We thought we'd get some more wins," Pitman's head coach ...

Girls basketball heats up

Turlock High's girls won their third straight game Thursday night against Golden Valley in a close contest. The 38-30 win positions the Bulldogs with Pitman in a tie for second place in the CCC, just in time for their first meeting of the season on Tuesday. Turlock led for the majority of the game, relying on Lindy Avila (13 points) and Shiloh Sotto (10 points) to put points on the board. Late in ...

Bulldogs beat Atwater, advance to 2-1 in CCC

The girls of Turlock High cruised to their second league victory against Atwater High Tuesday night. The Bulldogs (5-10 overall, 2-1 CCC) controlled the ball in every aspect in their 55-34 win over the Falcons (2-13 overall, 1-2 CCC). "We're playing better and better," Turlock's head coach Salinda Mabie said. "This was a strong performance for us at home." Turlock held a consistent lead over Atwater the entire game, using its press ...

TC’s team effort is too much for Denair

Turlock Christian High hosted Denair High's girls basketball team Monday night in another dominant performance. The Eagles (14-2 overall, 3-0 Southern League), who were without their star player Halie Bergman, won their fourth straight game, defeating the Coyotes (3-9 overall, 1-2 SL) 47-22. "We all stepped up today," TC's head coach Edwin Santiago said. "As a team, they're really gelling together; the chemistry is really good right now." From the onset it ...

Pitman girls remain undefeated

Pitman High positioned itself atop the CCC with a 51-38 win over Golden Valley High on Tuesday. The Pride (5-9 overall) utilized a strong defense to hold the Cougars at bay and remain undefeated in league play. Marissa Marable finished the night with 10 points and Parmine Randhawa finished with eight in a performance that saw a total of nine Pride players find the basket. Golden Valley trailed by double digits the entire ...

Turlock trumps competition at Bulldog Classic

Wrestlers from 23 schools, including Turlock, Denair and Hilmar High, crowded into Turlock's Bulldog Stadium Saturday morning to compete in the 20th annual Bulldog Classic. After dozens of matches and more than nine hours of wrestling, the Bulldogs claimed their third tournament title of the year with a total of 18 and half points and three champions. "We've gone to four tournaments and won three of them," Turlock's head coach Mike Contreras said. ...

Pitman’s second half rally earns a win

It wasn't looking good for Pitman High's boys basketball team when they hosted Merced High Wednesday night. The Pride's first half was a slow one chocked full of missed shots and turnovers. Despite the rough start Pitman was able to battle back after halftime and defeat the Bears 57-44. "Merced is a lot better than their record. They came out with a high level of intensity that we didn't match (in the first ...

Pride slashes Falcons for second straight win

Pitman High's girls basketball players entered their second league matchup against Atwater High on Thursday with a heightened sense of confidence. Two days after defeating a highly athletic Merced High team, the Pride won its second game in the CCC, beating the Falcons 59-38. "They're understanding their roles," Pitman's head coach Keith Larsen said. "We're getting better, a lot better than we were a month ago." The Pride opened up the game ...

Turlock, Pitman and Hilmar wrestling teams notch league wins

It was a successful day Wednesday for the wrestlers at Turlock, Pitman and Hilmar highs. The three teams won their first league duals against Merced, Atwater and Orestimba High, respectively. Turlock's first CCC win was also its 20th straight dual victory this year. The Bulldogs defeated the Bears 46-16 in another dominant performance. Jason Valdovinos, Rico McCombs and Jessey Velasquez all recorded pins against the formidable Merced team. Pitman's 44-33 victory over ...