Central Valley varsity boys wrestler Ruben Valenzuela found himself in a familiar position after competing at the 54th Annual Ceres Invitational for the second year in a row.

Valenzuela placed first in the 182-pound weight class.

He was the 170-pound champion last season.

“It’s exciting to win it again,” Valenzuela said. “That was the goal.”

Hawk teammates Thomas Carrillo, Natanael Lezama, Juan Lezama, Nic Genasci and Juan Melgoza also claimed individual medals at the Ceres High tournament on Dec. 7.

Central Valley totaled 114 points en route to a second-place finish in the team standings.

Livingston (135.50) took first.

Gregori (111) was third

“Everybody went out there and tried their best,” he said. 

Valenzuela won all three of his matches.

He pinned East Union’s Alex Yang (2:23), Ceres High’s Angel Figueroa (1:03) and Enochs’ Josh Quintana (0:11).

“I put all my medals and trophies I won on a mantel my dad made me,” he said. “I’m going to wear it (the championship ring) for one day and store it away.”

Carrillo placed second at 220 pounds.

He compiled a 1-1 record.

Carrillo lost by pin (2:45) to Beyer’s Raul Garcia in the finals.

He won by pin (1:57) against Livingston’s Juan Peralta.

Natanael Lezama placed second at 285 pounds.

He compiled a 2-1 record.

He lost by pin to Ceres High’s Elias Saldana in the finals.

Natanael collected wins against Livingston’s Porfirio Valencia (decision, 3-2) and Adrian Perez (pin, 0:41).

Brother Juan Lezama placed third at 195 pounds.

He compiled a 2-1 record.

Juan received two bye wins.

He lost to Manteca’s Joseph Farrell (pin, 1:12). 

Genasci placed fourth at 113 pounds.

He posted a 2-2 record.

Genasci beat Beyer’s Jake Nuding (pin, 1:37) and Liberty Ranch’s Rylan Mitchell (decision, 7-2).

He lost to Manteca’s Diego Rodriguez (major decision, 9-0) and Gregori’s Rene Delgado (pin, 3:15).

Melgoza placed sixth at 132 pounds.

He posted a 3-2 record.

Melgoza beat Beyer’s Jason Chavez (pin, 3:50), Johansen’s Jackson Schultz (pin, 1:01) and Mountain House’s Ryan Strout Hearick (decision, 6-5).

He lost to Downey’s Gio Ruiz (forfeit) and Deer Valley’s Samuel Sosa (decision, 6-0).

“Everybody has been working hard and trying to get better,” Valenzuela said.