Central Valley High School's varsity wrestling program annexed its first-ever Western Athletic Conference title this past week.

"The kids are ecstatic," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "That wasn't our goal at the beginning of the season."

New-look Central Valley placed first at the WAC Championships with a team score of 233.5 on Friday at Livingston High School.

The Hawks, 6-0 in the conference dual-meet standings, needed to finish among the top two teams at the WAC finals to claim the overall title.

Central Valley's lineup consisted of four veterans and 10 newcomers.

"Initially, it was very surprising," Beckhart said while talking about his team's success. "It says a lot about our coaching staff and kids. They've put in a lot of work. I'm happy for all of them."

Eleven of Central Valley's 14 wrestlers secured individual berths to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament.

Joaquin Garcia, Gabriel Martinez, Jason Beckhart, Jose Castillo, Christian Oliver, Luis Saucedo, David Lezama, Adrian Badillo, Andrew Marquez, Angel Gonzales and Severo Vazquez extended their seasons by finishing in the top four in their respective weight classes.

Garcia captured the 182-pound WAC crown.
Joaquin posted a 2-0 record.

He won by pin over Patterson's Jerry Arredondo and El Capitan's Jacob Fernandez.

Martinez was the 170-pound champion.

Gabriel also compiled a 2-0 record.

He beat Los Banos' Paul Reyes (decision, 5-0) and El Capitan's Vincent Vang (pin).

"I'm happy for both of them (Martinez and Garcia)," coach Beckhart said. "Gabriel's big and strong. His athleticism puts him over the top. Joaquin's always working hard. He never gives you any excuses."

Beckhart (220s, 1-1 record), Jose Castillo (138s, 2-1), Christian Oliver (120s, 1-1) and Luis Saucedo (113s, 1-1) all finished second in their respective weight classes.

Jason beat Patterson's Francisco Plascencia (decision, 6-5). He lost to Ceres High's Rudy Gonzalez (decision, 6-3).

Jose beat Pacheco's Rick Huse (pin) and Ceres High's Aiden Moore (major decision, 11-0). He lost to Los Banos' Fernando Rincon (decision, 7-1).

Christian beat Ceres High's Luis Camarillo (pin). He lost to Livingston's Jose Sanchez (pin).

Luis beat El Capitan's Alexander Caudillo (major decision, 12-4). He lost to Livingston's Rainier Colina (decision, 5-4).

Lezama (285s, 2-1), Badillo (195s, 1-1), Marquez (152s, 2-1) and Gonzales (132s, 3-1) placed third.

David beat Ceres High's Brian Quintanilla (pin) and Pacheco's Joseph Coronado (decision, 7-1). He lost to Los Banos' Evan Duran (decision, 3-0).

Adrian beat Pacheco's Joseph Reinbold (pin). He lost to Los Banos' Daniel Fernandez (pin).

Andrew beat Los Banos' Francisco Espinosa (pin) and Patterson's Dylan Christiansen (pin). He lost to Ceres High's John Alba (pin).

Angel beat Ceres High's Jaden Cooper by technical call (23-8) and major decision (20-7). He pinned Livingston's Elisandro Rangel.

Gonzales lost by decision (9-2) to Patterson's Daniel Cota.

Vazquez (145s, 1-2) took fourth.

Sev beat Patterson's Keith Gordon (decision, 7-0). He lost to Pacheco's Ruben Rocha (decision, 1-0) and Los Banos' Dalton Brooks (decision, 9-2).

Central Valley's Alex Alvarado and Ryan Hendrix were named alternates for Divisionals.

Alvarado (160s) and Hendrix (126s) both placed fifth.

Alex won two of his five matches.

Alvarado pinned Livingston's Juan Cineras and Pacheco's Gabriel Casarez. He lost by pin to Los Banos' Joshua Strauss, El Capitan's Lucas Honore and Ceres High's Spencer Nelson.

Hendrix won one of his three matches.

Ryan pinned Patterson's Sergio Rodriguez. He lost by decision to El Capitan's Mitchell Rasmussen (6-4) and Ceres High's Aaron Page (6-5).

Central Valley's Claudia Martinez (106 pounds) dropped all three of her matches.

She lost to El Capitan's Luis Flores (injury time), Livingston's Rajanvir Chahal (major decision, 11-0) and Tyler Fleming (injury time).

Ceres High (220.5), Los Banos (210), Livingston (168), Pacheco (122), El Capitan (121) and Patterson (117) took second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, at the WAC tournament.

"Our goal was to take first," Rob Beckhart said. "That's what we did. We earned it. We led all day. We got a good group of kids. They care about each other. They wrestle for each other."

Central Valley's WAC championship banner will be displayed in the school's gymnasium in the near future.

"I'm proud of the kids," Beckhart said. "They've worked hard."

The Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament will be staged at Foothill High School this Friday and Saturday.