ATWATER — This year’s Central California Conference wrestling championships had a festive vibe. Some wrestlers dyed their hair blonde to perhaps highlight team camaraderie, as well as the start of the postseason. Another wrestler was spotted wearing pink socks.

Even those who had unique hair colors still handled their business.

Especially Pitman High and Turlock High athletes.

The Pride entered Thursday’s league tournament with 14 wrestlers — for each weight class — and left the Buhach Colony High gym with 12 heading to next week’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division I South Championships in Modesto. They also finished with three individual champions in freshman Emilio Saavedra (103 pounds), senior Andrew Perez (130) and sophomore Mario Aguirre (171) to finish second in the team standings with 182 points, 47 behind winner Golden Valley High.

Turlock High came in third with 153 points with two tournament winners in senior Fabian Garcia (130) and freshman Albino Orozco (145). The Bulldogs also qualified seven other wrestlers for the divisional tournament at Gregori High in Modesto on Feb. 18-19.

Two of the title matches featured Pitman and Turlock wrestlers. Turlock’s Garcia settled for a forfeit win at 125 after Pitman’s Tyler Klinkhammer couldn’t go on because of an injury he suffered earlier in the tournament, while Pitman’s Perez outlasted Turlock’s Brandon Egleston at 130.

Even so, Pitman coach Adam Vasconcellos hoped for better results.

“We have some confidence,” he said, “but there are definitely some things we need to work on for the next couple weeks.”

After the division tournament is the Masters, which is the last step before the CIF State Championships on March 4-5. Expect all the local wrestlers to be all business until the last event of the season.

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.