Central Valley’s reigning Central California Conference-champion varsity girls wrestling team opened the 2020 league dual-meet season with a 48-27 victory against Golden Valley on Jan. 7 in Ceres.

The Hawks finished a program-best fifth at the Sierra Nevada Classic on Dec. 28.

“We just got back from a tournament and did really well there, too,” Central Valley 131-pound grappler Isabella Pelayo said. “Everyone’s been working hard at practice.”

“We wanted this really bad,” she added.

Pelayo won by pin in the third round versus Jisel Lopez.

She improved her all-time record to 2-0 against Lopez.

Pelayo prevailed by fall last season as well.

“She’s also a good wrestler,” Pelayo said. 

Central Valley’s Aryanna Jimenez won by pin in the first round versus Golden Valley’s Damarys Anguiano-Lara at 121 pounds.

Julia Roton won by pin in the second round versus Chloe Luker at 189 pounds.

Abigail Garcia won by pin in the third round versus Graciella Valencia at 137 pounds.

Kim Hernandez won by forfeit at 150 pounds.

Carla Martinez won by forfeit at 160 pounds.

Isabella Juarez won by forfeit at 170 pounds.

Samantha Espinoza won by forfeit at 235 pounds.

Hawk Mia Mendoza lost by major decision (14-0) to Natalie Flores at 126 pounds.

Aeryus Lundeen lost by pin in the second round to Nathailia Figueroa at 116 pounds.

Nia Caraway lost by pin in the second round to Samantha Arevalo at 143 pounds.

Central Valley forfeited matches to Golden Valley’s Natalie Moreno-Aguilar (101s) and Yazel Gomez (106s).

The Hawks began defense of their conference title last week.

“I think we can win the CCC again,” Pelayo said. “We have a lot of new and returning girls and they’re all dedicated.”