Ceres High’s girls wrestling program continued its run of success against tournament competition this past week.
Central Valley traveled outside the area to face tougher opponents.
The Bulldogs totaled 168 points while finishing in second place at the Ceres Supergirl Showdown on Friday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
Sanger (186) won the team title.
El Captian (98.5) took third.
Ceres High placed first at the Lady Guardians Tournament the previous weekend in Fresno.
“It’s nice to host a tournament and showcase your own team,” Bulldogs head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “I’m super proud of the girls. They showed up and wrestled tough.”
Ceres High claimed a team title and 14 individual medals in front of its home fans.
The top six wrestlers in each weight bracket were rewarded.
Individual champions took home championship Supergirl capes.
“It’s awesome,” Hulstine said while talking about his program’s overall performance. “It shows how well-rounded our team is.”
Elizabeth Boyd claimed the 235-pound title.
She compiled a 2-0 record.
“She’s picking up from where she left off last year and is continuing to improve each match,” Hulstine said.
Camila Alfaro placed first in the 140-pound weight bracket.
She compiled a 3-0 record.
“She stepped up in a big way winning the tournament as a freshman,” Hulstine said. “Her future is bright.”
Mezmeriah Zuniga placed first at 135 pounds.
She compiled a 4-0 record.
“She’s a tough girl to wrestle,” Hulstine said. “Her aggressiveness is what makes her dominant.”
Abigail Schultz placed first at 130 pounds.
She compiled a 3-0 record.
“She’s a different wrestler this year and the results are showing,” Hulstine said. “Her confidence has improved a bunch on the mat.”
Dayanna Alvarez placed first at 125 pounds.
She compiled a 3-0 record.
“She’s laser-focused this year,” Hulstine said. “The sky’s the limit for her.”
Evelynn Tubera placed second at 115 pounds.
She compiled a 3-1 record.
Avril Gaona placed second at 100 pounds.
She compiled a 2-1 record.
Amelie Franco placed third at 135 pounds.
She compiled a 2-2 record.
Abrianna Bautista placed third at 105 pounds.
She compiled a 4-1 record.
Yeraldi Alvarez placed third at 110 pounds.
She compiled a 3-1 record.
Ayla Fuentes placed fourth at 145 pounds.
She compiled a 1-3 record.
Jazlyn Cisneros-Nunes placed fifth at 125 pounds.
She compiled a 2-2 record.
Genesis Raya placed sixth at 155 pounds.
She compiled a 1-3 record.
Sharon Wheeling placed sixth at 125 pounds.
She compiled an 0-3 record.
Lilly Louis (100 pounds, 2-2 record), Destiny Medina (130s, 0-2) and Gabriella Cole (105s, 0-2) also represented the Bulldogs at the Supergirl Showdown.
Espinoza medals
The Hawks finished 20th with a team score of 55.5 points at the 10th Annual Women’s West Coast Tournament of Champions (WWCTOC) Dec. 19-20 at Roseville’s Roebbelen Center.
“We went where the tougher competition was,” head coach Brandy Cordova said. “We chase experience, not medals.”
Central Valley’s eight wrestlers had a combined record of 11-15 at the WWCTOC.
Alicia Espinoza led the Hawks with a third-place finish in the 235-pound weight bracket.
She compiled a 4-1 record.
“We knew this was going to be a test for Alicia,” Cordova said. “She did an amazing job. Her only loss was to the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the state.”
Espinoza’s performance on the mat piqued the interest of California USA Wrestling’s Michael Duran.
She executed a single leg sweep, a moved that’s not common among heavyweight wrestlers.
“Alicia’s doing moves she was doing at 190 and 170 pounds,” Cordova said.
Giana Breshears compiled a 3-2 record at 130 pounds.
Giselle De La Torre compiled a 1-2 record at 155 pounds.
Vanesa Mendoza Balbuena compiled a 1-2 record at 145 pounds.
Evalyn Zambrano compiled a 1-2 record at 135 pounds.
Divina Velasquez compiled a 1-2 record at 105 pounds.
Addisyn Prudhel compiled an 0-2 record at 140 pounds.
Valerie Garcia Morales compiled an 0-2 record at 110 pounds.
“This is the toughest competition the team has seen,” Cordova said. “The girls gained a lot of experience. Hopefully, it builds their confidence.”
