Central Valley’s varsity boys wrestling team notched just three individual victories during its 66-12 Central California Conference dual-meet opener to Golden Valley on Jan. 7 in Ceres.

The Cougars’ 12-point lead ballooned to 54 after winning nine of the contest’s final 11 matches.

“I thought we’d do better,” Central Valley 182-pound grappler Ruben Valenzuela said. “I thought we’d win more matches. We need to work harder in the room and keep pushing each other.”

Valenzuela won by pin in the first round over Travon Moore at 182 pounds.

“It took a little longer than usual,” he said. “I had to get on top. I threw my hips over and worked my moves from there. I gave it my all until I got the pin.”

Hawk teammates Davian Lemus and Juan Melgoza were also victorious.

Lemus won by decision (11-3) over Jason Clark at 120 pounds.

Melgoza won by decision (9-4) over Izaiha Richardson at 132 pounds.

Central Valley’s Nicholas Genasci, Jesse Vazquez, Enrique Gonzales, Phillip Martinez, Luis Vargas, Roman Ramirez, Andrew Torres, Juan Lezama, Thomas Carrillo and Natanael Lezama all dropped their respective matches.

Torres lost by pin in the third round to Jaret Mello at 170 pounds.

Gonzales lost by pin in the second round to Keat Cullen at 138 pounds.

Martinez lost by pin in the second round to Willie Ward-Williams at 145 pounds.

Juan Lezama lost by pin in the second round to Josh Hickman at 195 pounds.

Carrillo lost by pin in the second round to Clint Ward at 220 pounds.

Natanael Lezama lost by pin in the second round to Aristeo Prado at 285 pounds.

Genasci lost by pin in the first round to Devin Fagan at 113 pounds.

Vazquez lost by pin in the first round to Ian Thor at 126 pounds.

Vargas lost by pin the in the first round to Enzo Hormozi at 152 pounds.

Ramirez lost by pin in the first round to David Lopez at 160 pounds.

The Hawks forfeited the 106-pound match to Cougar Elijah Solis.

Central Valley will compete at Buhach Colony tomorrow evening.