Fresh off their first defeat to Buhach Colony, 29-36, last week in the Central California Conference opener, the Turlock High wrestling team bounced back on Wednesday night with their first league win of the season over Atwater High, 56-13.

“We didn’t give up any pins in the matches we were supposed to lose, but to bounce back from all that and get the win is always nice for the kids,” said co-head coach Anthony Gonzalez. “A win like this really helps our confidence as a team with the direction we’re trying to go to win league.”

The Bulldogs won 10 of the 13 matches and are now 1-1 in league after two duals.

“Things don't always go the perfect way you expect it but then other times it does and it did today,” Gonzalez said.

Dustin Lema (106) opened things up with the first victory by way of forfeit and by the time Brady Egleston (132) came on to the mat, the team had picked up their fifth straight victory of the night.

Fabian Giona (138) won his match by only three points and Andres Orozco (152) had no problem in his bout, winning by six and essentially securing the team win going up 44-0 at that point.

Once again without one of its top wrestlers in Isaac Bertalloto the Bulldogs managed just fine in their away matchup but still found themselves with some problems at the 160, 170 and 182-pound classes despite still picking up the win.

“Everything kind of went the way we thought even with Isaac out. We knew their 60, 70s and 82s would be tough,” said Gonzalez.

Those guys were Dominic Silva (160), Urial Villasenor (170) and Adelo Fields (182) who unfortunately found themselves on the losing side for the night.

“But those kids,when they are matched with better wrestlers do not give up the big points in big situations and I was impressed with that,” Gonzalez said of Silva, Villasenor and Fields.

Turlock's next dual meet will be at Golden Valley against the Cougars at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“The next match against Golden Valley will be a good one because they have a good lineup over there,” Gonzalez added.