Already considered Central Valley High School’s all-time greatest male wrestler, Ruben Valenzuela boosted his legacy this past weekend.

The senior grappler placed first in the 184-pound weight bracket of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Championships for the second time in three years.

Playoffs were canceled during the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19.

“We haven’t had anybody do that before,” Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart said while talking about Valenzuela’s repeat performance at Divisionals. “It was cool to experience that with him. I’m proud of Ruben for winning back-to-back championships. It’s going to be a while before somebody comes in and beats some of the stuff he’s done.”

Valenzuela and Hawk teammates Adan Garcia, Anthony Malagon, Enrique Gonzalez and Nick Genasci all secured individual berths to the Masters Tournament.

Central Valley totaled 77 points while finishing ninth overall in the team standings.

Oakdale (328.5), Ponderosa (230) and Vista Del Lago (163) placed first, second and third, respectively.

“Trying to move on to the next week was the goal,” Beckhart said. “They’re starting to see the results of working hard. I’m proud of them.”

Valenzuela won all four of his matches at Divisionals, staged on Saturday at Vista del Lago High School.

“Not to take anything away from the other kids, but they’re not at his level,” Beckhart said. “Everybody knows who he is. He’s motivated by things that haven’t been accomplished.”

Valenzuela beat Oakdale’s Jordan Van Rys (pin), Rio Linda’s Malik Lugar (tiebreaker), Lincoln’s Ethan Volzer (pin) and Vista del Lago’s Tomas Samaniego-Evans (major decision).

“He’s not done yet,” Beckhart said. “He has more to prove to himself. I believe he can be a section and state champion. But it’s up to him.”

Garcia took fourth with a 3-2 record in the 128-pound weight division.

Garcia beat West Park’s Ray Laxamana (pin), Vista del Lago’s Aaron Vaquero (sudden victory) and Buhach Colony’s Isaias Cardenas (pin).

He lost to Oakdale’s Michael Torres (pin) and Golden Valley’s Devin Fagan (decision).

“Adan finished ahead of the kid that he lost to at the CCC tournament,” Beckhart said. “It’s good for his confidence. He’s worked really hard this season.”

Malagon (197s, 3-2) took seventh.

Malagon beat Sierra’s Amitaj Kandola (pin), Merced’s Daniel Robles (pin) and Oakmont’s Isaac Logston (pin).

He lost to Ponderosa’s Andrew Cheney (pin) and Buhach Colony’s Brady Hill (pin).

“He’s big and strong,” Beckhart said. “He takes advantage of his opportunities. He’s fun to watch.”

Gonzalez (134s, 2-3) and Genasci (115s, 2-3) both took eighth.

Gonzalez beat Del Campo’s Jacob Lloyd (pin) and Vista del Lago’s Caden Thornburg (decision). 

He lost to Central Catholic’s Elyjja Austin (decision), Placer’s Enzo Gallo (pin) and Merced’s Derek Warren (forfeit).

“I’m really happy for him,” Beckhart said. “He’s progressed a lot since his freshman year. He’s one of the hardest-working kids in the room.”

Genasci beat Nevada Union’s Justin Dobbs (pin) and West Park’s Roberto Martinez (pin).

He lost to Central Catholic’s Kekoa Ogawa (decision), Vista del Lago’s Donovan Duncan (decision) and Manteca’s Derrick Day (overtime decision).

“It was a tough weight class,” Beckhart said. “There were three, state-ranked wrestlers.”

Central Valley’s Joey Zuniga (122s, 3-2) took ninth and was named an alternate for Divisionals.

Zuniga beat Vista del Lago’s Eilya Ghulam (pin), Rio Linda’s Anthony Miralrio (pin) and East Union’s Nicholas Salcido (pin).

He lost to West Park’s Kaden Oben (pin) and Ponderosa’s Ladley Merrick (decision).

Mahkai Smith (287s, 2-3) took 10th.

Smith pinned Capital Christian’s Leron Nelson and won by forfeit against Manteca.

He lost to Sierra’s Manny Zavala (pin), Oakdale’s Gavin Gleason (pin) and Kimball’s Gabriel Quintero (pin).

Angel Melgoza (147s, 1-3) and Juan Alonzo (172s, 0-2) did not place.

Melgoza beat Golden Valley’s Austin Mello (pin).

He lost to Oakdale’s Brodie Johnson (pin), Merced’s Angel Valenzuela (decision) and Manteca’s Ayden Marshall (major decision).

Alonzo lost to Ponderosa’s Cameron Gott (pin) and Oakmont’s Jayden Kalb (pin).

Hawk senior Juan Melgoza was sidelined with an eye injury sustained at league finals.

“I would have loved to see what he would have done,” Beckhart said. “Juan’s a tough wrestler.”

BULLDOG RESULTS

Ceres High’s boys wrestling program had one individual compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament on Saturday at Stockton’s McNair High School.

Arturo Estrada claimed a fifth-place medal and just missed out on qualifying for Masters.

The top four individuals in each weight class secured berths.

“He wanted to be a Masters qualifier,” head coach Casey Paulino said. “That was his main goal. He was one point away from going.”

Estrada, a junior, won three of five matches at 126 pounds.

“Mentally, this is the best I’ve seen him wrestle all year,” Paulino said. “He worked hard. He had fun.”

Estrada bested Natomas’ Nathan Nelson (pin), Casa Roble’s Ian Peatross (pin) and Cordova’s Carlo Campbell (pin).

He lost to Dixon’s Tyler Morey (pin) and Valley High’s Soraj Karimi (decision).

Estrada would have been guaranteed a top-four finish at Divisionals had he beaten Karimi.

Karimi earned a hard-fought 4-3 win over Estrada.

“He’s very competitive,” Paulino said. “He has a big heart. He’ll get to where he needs to be next year.”

Bulldog teammates Nathan Miranda (hip/shin) and Edmond Lozano (hamstring) were both scratched from the Division-IV Tournament.

Miranda, a junior, and Lozano, a freshman, were sidelined with injuries.

“Safety is always our No. 1 priority with our kids regardless of what they want to do,” Paulino said. “They’ll keep fighting to the very end.”