Josh Beckhart fulfilled his expectations.
The Central Valley High School varsity wrestler advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters tournament last week after placing among the top five at the Division IV championships.
Beckhart won two of four matches on his way to a fifth-place finish in the 215-pound weight class on Saturday in Manteca.
"That's my original goal for this whole year," the junior said. "I'm pretty excited. Now, it's time to overachieve and do the best I can."
With a Masters berth on the line, Beckhart and Colfax's Ken Mathe battled for fifth place. Josh built a 4-0 lead in the first period and held on for a 6-4 victory. Beckhart edged Mathe by one point, 4-3, in the second round of the tournament on Friday.
"I felt a lot of pressure," Josh said. "In order to achieve my goal, I needed to beat the same guy again. It was really exhausting, mentally and physically."
Beckhart bounced back after being edged by Whitney's Julio Ceron (4-2) and Lincoln's Andre Suchomel (7-4).
"He could have placed higher, but we're just happy he's moving on," Central Valley head coach Bobby Posadas said.
Hawk sophomore Anthony Centeno did not place while competing at 130 pounds.
The first-year grappler posted a respectable 2-2 record.
Centeno lost 10-7 in double overtime to Weston Ranch alternate Joe Anthony Gomez during an elimination match. Anthony defeated Gomez 6-3 in the first round of the VOL championships the previous week.
"It's a bummer," Posadas said. "Looking at the bigger picture, I know he's capable of more. He's got the will to get better."
Beckhart will compete at the Masters tournament this Friday at Stockton Arena.
The Central Valley High School varsity wrestler advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters tournament last week after placing among the top five at the Division IV championships.
Beckhart won two of four matches on his way to a fifth-place finish in the 215-pound weight class on Saturday in Manteca.
"That's my original goal for this whole year," the junior said. "I'm pretty excited. Now, it's time to overachieve and do the best I can."
With a Masters berth on the line, Beckhart and Colfax's Ken Mathe battled for fifth place. Josh built a 4-0 lead in the first period and held on for a 6-4 victory. Beckhart edged Mathe by one point, 4-3, in the second round of the tournament on Friday.
"I felt a lot of pressure," Josh said. "In order to achieve my goal, I needed to beat the same guy again. It was really exhausting, mentally and physically."
Beckhart bounced back after being edged by Whitney's Julio Ceron (4-2) and Lincoln's Andre Suchomel (7-4).
"He could have placed higher, but we're just happy he's moving on," Central Valley head coach Bobby Posadas said.
Hawk sophomore Anthony Centeno did not place while competing at 130 pounds.
The first-year grappler posted a respectable 2-2 record.
Centeno lost 10-7 in double overtime to Weston Ranch alternate Joe Anthony Gomez during an elimination match. Anthony defeated Gomez 6-3 in the first round of the VOL championships the previous week.
"It's a bummer," Posadas said. "Looking at the bigger picture, I know he's capable of more. He's got the will to get better."
Beckhart will compete at the Masters tournament this Friday at Stockton Arena.
