Alicia Espinoza has been named Central Valley High School’s Female Golden Hawk Award winner for the class of 2026.
Athletic Director Greg Magni recognized Espinoza at the annual Senior Awards and Spring Sports Banquet in May at the Ric Campero Performing Arts Center.
“When I received the award, I was almost in tears,” she said. “I set this goal since freshman year. And part of me didn’t believe I was going to achieve the award.”
A point system taking into account athletic and academic achievement determined the winner.
Espinoza’s name will be displayed on a banner inside Central Valley’s gymnasium, along with Brianna Espinoza (2025), Jannet Valencia (2024), Janessa Godinez (2023), Julia Roton (2022), Isabella Pelayo (2021), Aryanna Jimenez (2020), Brianna Quiroz (2019), Nayeli Pelayo (2018), Blanca Espinoza (2017), Mikayla Mabie (2016), Heaven Simon (2015), Lexy Cordova (2014), Malynda Lomeli (2013), Drucella Miranda (2012), Alyssa Long (2011), Amanda Lopez (2010), Julie Calderon (2009) and Latrisha Jordan (2008).
Espinoza is the second person from her family to receive the honor. Older sister Brianna won the award last year.
“I attribute my success hugely to my family, especially my mom Rosario Avina and older sister Brianna Espinoza,” Alicia said. “They are always willing to take me to every single practice, every tournament, every match. My sister is my built-in best friend and I love having her in my life because it reminds me that I’m a person outside of athletics. My coaches were another huge attribute to my success. They pushed me past to what I thought wasn’t possible and believed in me every step of the way.”
Espinoza earned 11 varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in both wrestling and softball, and three in flag football.
“I believe I met my expectations as a student-athlete,” she said. “I’ve had setbacks all throughout my years but I’m grateful for my success.”
“I was really proud of what my teams accomplished in all my sports,” Espinoza added.
Espinoza made program history this past winter by becoming just the third wrestler from Central Valley to medal at the CIF State Championships.
She followed in the footsteps of sibling/two-time state medalist Brianna Espinoza and Nayeli Pelayo (class of 2018).
“Her ultimate goal was to (get on the) podium,” Hawks’ head coach Brandy Cordova said. “That’s what she’s worked for all season.”
Espinoza won six of eight matches while finishing in seventh place in the 235-pound division at state as a senior.
Seeded fifth, Espinoza dropped into the consolation bracket after being upset by pin in the Round of 16.
“To me, it was just another lesson to be learned,” she said. “I still believed in myself.”
“Alicia never lost focus,” Cordova said. “She knew what she needed to do. She had been in that position before at other tournaments.”
A newcomer to the heavyweight division this season, Espinoza amassed a career-best 53-7 overall record.
She became Central Valley’s first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament champion.
She took first at South Regionals.
She also matched older sister Brianna’s feat of winning four league titles.
Espinoza was at least 20 pounds lighter than the majority of her opponents.
“The sport is definitely challenging,” she stated. You have to fight a person for six minutes straight. Conditioning for that is so tough. You have to make split-second decisions in a match where it could hurt you or advance you. The biggest thing is mentality to push through and stay composed.”
Espinoza had a career record of 145-49 with Central Valley. She’ll be remembered as one of the Hawks’ all-time greatest wrestlers.
“Her place in CV history is set in stone,” Cordova said. “
Espinoza helped Central Valley continue its winning tradition in wrestling.
The Hawks placed second in the Western Athletic Conference’s overall standings for the second year in a row this past winter.
Espinoza filled a major role as a sophomore, propelling Central Valley to a program-best third-place showing at the Sac-Joaquin South Regional Tournament. The Hawks took ninth at Masters and defended their Central California Conference overall championship.
“CV wrestling has been a huge part of my life,” Espinoza stated. “It has opened my eyes to who I am as a person and what I can accomplish. It opened opportunities and so many good people that have impacted my life.”
A utility player in softball, Espinoza batted .336 from the plate with three triples, 10 doubles, 28 RBIs, 37 runs and 13 stolen bases in 59 career games with the Hawks.
Espinoza’s teams reached new heights in 2026 and in 2023.
The Hawks compiled a 16-11 overall record, finished in second place in the WAC standings with a 12-2 mark and bested one of two opponents in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I playoffs this spring.
Sixteenth-seeded Central Valley accomplished two firsts while defeating 17th-seeded Tokay 8-4 in a Playoff Play-In Game on May 11 in Ceres.
The Hawks collected their first-ever playoff victory while hosting their first-ever postseason game.
Central Valley opened conference play with a team-record 12 consecutive wins.
The Hawks posted a program-best 19-4 overall record during Espinoza’s freshman year.
Central Valley claimed its first-ever league championship. The Hawks won the CCC title (11-1).
Central Valley also participated in the playoffs for the first time.
A team captain in flag football, Espinoza helped lead the Hawks to their best season to date this past fall.
The Hawks amassed a 14-10 record, placed third in the WAC standings (9-5) and qualified for the Section playoffs for the first time.
Espinoza earned first-team, all-WAC honors for her outstanding play on defense. She had 60 tackles, one sack, five interceptions and one pass deflection at outside linebacker.
Espinoza had a cumulative grade-point average of 4.1 at Central Valley.
She took nine Advanced-Placement and seven dual-enrollment classes.
Espinoza will continue her athletic career and further her education at Modesto Junior College.
“I’m planning to wrestle two years at MJC and transfer,” said Espinoza, who will major in political science.
