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.

Turlock and Pitman girls prepare for championship seasons

Last year the Turlock High girls basketball team went all the way, winning the Central California Conference league championship. This year, with targets on their backs, the Bulldogs are being pursued by an athletic Pitman High team that is driven by the desire to avenge the three losses Turlock handed them a season ago. The Pride is expected to be a serious contender again this season, returning with a handful of experienced players. ...

Hilmar stifles Livingston and advances to semifinals

It was a hard hitting battle Friday night when Hilmar High School hosted Livingston High in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Division IV football playoffs. It was a slow start for the Yellowjackets (10-2) but in the end they trounced the Wolves (6-6), 27-0 For the majority of the first quarter Livingston methodically moved the ball down the field, relying on running back Brian Perez' combination of size and strength. Despite the Yellowjackets' ...

Pitman falls to Pleasant Grove in round two

The Pitman Pride (10-2) was shut out by Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove (11-1) Friday night, falling 45-0 in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 playoffs to end their season. The Pride trailed 17-0 after the first quarter, 31-0 at the half, and 38-0 at the third at the Sheldon High School field in Sacramento. MaxPreps Freeman Computer projections had Pitman as a heavy, 42-21, underdog entering the contest. ...

Pride prepare for Pleasant Grove and quarterfinals

This Friday Pitman High School's football team will journey to Oak Ridge where they are set to face Pleasant Grove High School in the quarterfinals of the Division I CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The Pride (10-1) will take advantage of the long trip, using the time to gather their thoughts and emotions as they focus on the task at hand; defeating the defending champion Eagles (10-1). Last week the Pride dominated West High ...

Bulldogs shutout in first round of playoffs

The Turlock High Bulldogs' (7-4) season ended Friday night as they were shut out, 38-0 by Grant High (8-3) of Sacramento in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs. Grant, playing in the D1 playoffs for the first time, has won six section titles in the past and in 2008, won the CIF State Championship Bowl Game in the open division. Last year, Grant lost in the SJS D2 championships. ...

Hilmar slaughters Linden Lions

It was cold and wet Friday night when Hilmar High School's football team (9-2) hosted Linden High School (5-6) in the first round of the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Hilmar was favored coming into the game and they lived up to expectations, defeating the Lions 41-14. The Yellowjackets scored early and often, putting up 38 points; 35 of which came in the first half. Garrett Jericoff put the Yellowjackets on the board first with ...

Pitman stomps West in first round of playoffs

Pitman High School faced West High School Thursday for the third time in Sac-Joaquin Section playoff history. The Pride entered Joe Debely Stadium with intensity, determined not to be eliminated by the Wolfpack for a third time. To ensure a win, Pitman (10-1) enlisted the talents of Brent Nelle, Kody Brackett and Andres Mendez; rotating the three running backs in an out of the game, a strategy that resulted in a slew of rushing ...

Eagles fall to Ripon Christian in valiant effort

Turlock Christian High School's volleyball team couldn't overcome Ripon Christian High in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, losing in three straight sets (25-18, 25-17, 25-16). The Eagles tested the Southern League champions with tough play, something many didn't think would happen. "Everyone was convinced that we would be completely blasted, but that wasn't the case," head coach Keith Landmeier said. "We rattled them. This was the best we played them all year." ...

Pride volleyball stopped by St. Mary’s

Pitman High School's volleyball team expected a tough match against St. Mary's on Thursday in the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals and that's exactly what they got. The Central California Conference champions could not muster a win, falling 25-8, 25-10, 25-11 in their loss to the Rams. "We all knew they had dominant players," Pride head coach Kristen Pontes said. "They have every weapon you could have." The Pride entered the match ...

Pitman standout softball pitcher signs with Sonoma State

It was 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon and the Pitman High School Library Media Center was full of people. No one was studying, researching or reading books; they were all there to watch Janessa Guevara sign on to play softball for Sonoma State University. "This is a dream come true for her," Guevara's mother, Melissa Guevara said. "Janessa has had to work really hard to get where she's at." All of ...

Feaver coaches last game as Turlock polo falls to Oak Ridge

Wednesday marked the last time Steve Feaver would coach Turlock High School's boys water polo team. "It was my last game of water polo," Feaver said. Although the Bulldogs played well, the effort wasn't enough to overcome Oak Ridge High School as they fell 12- 9. The loss eliminates Turlock from the quarterfinals of the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs and will be remembered as the end of a career that spanned 39 seasons. ...

Davis Sr. sinks Pitman polo

Pitman High School's boys water polo team was unable to overcome second seeded Davis Senior High, losing 16-6 in the quarterfinal round of the Sac-Joaquin playoffs Wednesday at Tokay High School. Pitman's Tyler Jamieson scored in the first quarter, giving the Pride an early lead. The Blue Devils responded immediately however, scoring twice before the first quarter was over. By the time the first half came to a close Pitman had scored two more ...

Pitman breezes through first round

The first two sets were a breeze. As for the third set? The Pitman High volleyball players knew they had to stay cool against a Kennedy High team that wanted to capture just one set before a long drive back to Sacramento. The setback, however, was no big deal for the No. 6 Pride, who overcame two late deficits for the 25-8, 25-8, 25-23 win at the Pitman High gym on Tuesday ...

Bret Harte breaks Hilmar volleyball

Hilmar High School's volleyball team suffered a close loss on Tuesday as they battled Bret Harte High in Angels Camp in the first round of playoffs. The game consisted of five sets, which were all won by close margins (22-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-21, 15-9).

TC volleyball upsets higher-seed Forest Lake