Central Valley High School’s boys wrestling program is fielding its biggest team to date this winter.
Practices are staged at two sites, including on campus and at nearby Hanline School due to the spike in numbers.
“We have 80 kids,” head coach Rob Beckhart said. “It’s the most we’ve ever had. Obviously, it’s going to help in the future in terms of building a strong program if the kids stick with it. Tony and Brandy Cordova (Central Valley girls wrestling/flag football coaches) have done a great job recruiting. We’re very active at the school. People see us at football games.”
Central Valley returns a host of talent from last year’s team, including Samuel Deleon (Sr., 215s), Albert Gonzales (Sr., 157s), Kenneth Orrin (Sr., 190s), Makhai Smith (Sr., 285s), Joey Zuniga (Sr., 132s/138s), Anthony Diaz (Jr., 165s), Manjot Gill (Jr., 132s), Julian Gonzalez (Jr., 190s), Angel Melgoza (Jr., 177s), Hector Valencia (Jr., 106s/113s), Salvador Almanzan (So., 285s), Caleb Beckhart (So., 126s/132s) and Emilio Castillo (So., 126s).
The Hawks’ top newcomers are Jose Trujillo (Sr., 175s), Zadrian Arreola (Jr., 170s), Rotceh Mendez (So., 126s), Juan Velasquez (So., 285s), Carlos Gonzalez (Fr., 150s), Damian Jackson (Fr., 165s) and Enoc Reyes (Fr., 106s).
“There’s one thing I promise,” Rob Beckhart said. “Everyone gets to wrestle. It doesn’t matter what your skillset or experience is.”
“We returned almost our whole lineup,” he added. “We have a lot of depth, which is a good thing. The kids have been working hard. The goal is to get better.”
Deleon had a memorable first season competing at the varsity level this past winter.
He claimed the 285-pound title at the Central California Conference Championships.
He took eighth at the Division-III Tournament.
Deleon posted an 0-2 record at Masters.
Melgoza (154s) and Zuniga (128s) both placed third at the 2022-23 CCC finals.
Smith (222s), Orrin (172s), Gonzales (132s) and Beckhart (115s) all finished fifth at the league championships.
Melgoza (ninth place), Smith (10th), Beckhart (did not place), Smith (DNP), Orrin (DNP) and Gonzales (DNP) gained valuable experience at Divisionals.
Central Valley will compete against Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced, Golden Valley, El Capitan and Patterson during the CCC campaign.
The Hawks tied for fourth place with a 2-4 record during the 2022-23 conference dual season.
Central Valley collected wins against El Capitan and Atwater.
The Hawks placed sixth as a team at the CCC Championships.
Central Valley totaled 115 points while finishing ahead of last-place Atwater (32).
The Hawks sent 10 grapplers to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Tournament and two to Masters.
“The kids know what they’re up against,” coach Beckhart said. “There are no easy days in our league. You can’t take anyone for granted. We’re going to try our best against everyone.”
