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.
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.
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.
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.
The goal is always to beat Turlock High. But for the Pitman High softball team, some years are just wishful thinking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It wasn't like Turlock High baseball didn't have opportunities.
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.
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.
Here's the scoop on this season's softball teams.
To say the least, there will be some shakeups in high school girls soccer this season.
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.
HILMAR - Hilmar High quarterback Andrew Olson couldn't have approached one of his most terrifying athletic moments in any other way, going full throttle despite the disappointing circumstances.
2010 record: 4-2 TVL, 6-5 overall
DENAIR - Inside his office, Denair High football coach Therion Gregory was fixing a helmet for one of his players. His office sits right next to the school's football field, so on this day, he has a clear view of his team practicing. At the moment, the Coyotes were stretching.
2010 record: 5-2 SL, 6-5 overall
Turlock Christian High football coach Rusty Lyon called over a couple members of his coaching staff. He wanted to ask them about a certain detail of one of last season's infamous injuries.
2010 record: 1-6 SL, 2-8 overall
As a group of parents and other supporters of the Turlock Youth Football League watched nearby, a Turlock High offensive lineman was on the verge of puking. He was down on one knee, his hand to his stomach.
2010 record: 3-2 CCC, 8-3 overall
The other day, Steve Feaver walked to his car after practice. Right before he stepped inside, he spotted a familiar face. It was one of Turlock High's campus maintenance employees, who made small talk with the Bulldogs boys' water polo coach.
This week signifies the beginning of the fall sports season. Athletes from Pitman High, Turlock High, Turlock Christian, Denair High and Hilmar High all worked out underneath the sun for the past two days, and they will continue on for the next few weeks. The first official game in any sport won't start until Aug. 26, so for now, footballers, tennis players, cross country runners, water polo athletes, golfers and ...
In June, Allison Kuchan graduated from Pitman High without truly knowing if she'd play softball at the college level - a childhood goal. A few weeks earlier, she helped lead the Pride's softball team to its first playoff game in the school's short history.
Now, it's time for some football.
Before entering every one of her wrestling tournaments, Alexia Moreno's goal is simple. She wants to do better than before.
On July 7, a group of Hilmar High students woke up with football on their minds. That's what happens when you're a Yellowjacket. They were in the middle of summer workouts, a very crucial element in preparing for the fall season. Their main focus were strengths and conditionings, with much of the responsibility sitting on the shoulders of assistant coach Franky Silveira.
NEWMAN - When it comes to the happenings of last season, the Turlock Christian High football program would rather not talk about it.