Central Valley’s boys wrestling team made history at the Bulldog Classic on Saturday at Turlock High.

Members of Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls wrestling programs excelled while competing at the Bristow Brawl on Dec. 6 in Atwater.

“For the girls with experience, the expectation was to go out there, dominate and win,” Ceres High head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “For the younger girls, it was their first experience at a varsity tournament. It was nice to see them have success.”

Central Valley’s boys finished in a program-best third place at the Bulldog Classic.

The Hawks totaled 149.5 points at the 22-team event.

Host Turlock (184) and Patterson (160) placed first and second, respectively.

Central Valley took home a team trophy and eight individual medals.

The top three teams and six wrestlers in each weight class were rewarded.

“I’m proud of everyone,” Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart said. “All the kids are wrestling really well right now. They’re working hard.” 

Central Valley’s Rotceh Mendez, Caleb Beckhart and Sunny Breshears reached the finals in their respective divisions.

Seeded third, Mendez took second with a 3-1 record at 133 pounds.

He collected wins against Merced’s Jose Mendoza Magana (technical fall, 16-1), Davis’ Aidyn Keener (pin, 1:38) and Escalon’s Conner McDowell (decision, 16-11).

Mendez lost to top-seeded Cole Cronon of Turlock (pin, 1:31).

“Rotceh beat a kid he wasn’t expected to beat and wrestled one of the top-ranked kids in the state,” coach Beckhart said. 

Beckhart took second with a 3-1 record at 151 pounds.

He collected wins against Patterson’s Jamir John Sangcap (technical fall, 18-1), Modesto High’s James Caswell (pin, 2:34) and Stone Ridge Christian’s Tristan Quiralte (major decision, 15-2).

Beckhart lost to top-seeded Jack Gonzalez of Merced (decision, 7-3).

“He wrestled tough,” said Rob Beckhart. “A lot of coaches were commenting on what he was doing.”

Breshears took second with a 3-1 record at 166 pounds.

He collected wins against Buhach Colony’s Tayvion Bighom (decision, 9-2), Grace Davis’ Marquis Thomas (decision, 4-0) and Johansen’s Jeydan Saing (major decision, 14-0).

Breshears lost to top-seeded Andrew Peterson of Beyer (major decision, 11-2).

“He did what he needed to do to win matches,”  Beckhart noted. “He showed some grit and tenacity.”

Hawk teammates Emilio Castillo, Breighdon Swenson, David Alvarado, Israel Garcia and Jayden Mattox also medaled.

Castillo placed third with a 4-1 record at 121 pounds.

He collected wins against Johansen’s Rances Barlandas (major decision, 13-1), Escalon’s Jimmy McDowell (pin, 4:02), Central Valley’s Jayden Mattox (major decision, 12-1) and Patterson’s Kobe Williams (technical fall, 15-0).

Castillo lost to Williams (decision, 5-3) during the second round of the tournament.

Swenson placed third with a 3-1 record at 127 pounds.

He collected wins against Beyer’s Christopher Billon (pin, 5:10), Patterson’s Gavin Gamez (pin, 1:19) and Merced’s Mason Thor (technical fall, 18-1).

Swenson lost to Turlock’s Uriah Castillo (technical fall, 23-7).

Alvarado placed third with a 3-1 record at 216 pounds.

He collected wins against Turlock’s Jacob Cornish (pin, 1:55), Mariposa’s Eamon Fluharty (pin, 1:07) and Livingston’s Angel Pina (pin, 0:54).

Alvarado lost to Patterson’s David Anica-Garcia (pin, 2:49).

Garcia finished fifth with a 2-2 record at 114 pounds.

He collected wins against Patterson’s Rene Cabada (pin, 0:49) and Beyer’s Jinsu Licon (pin, 1:35). 

Garcia lost to top-seeded Salvador Diaz of Modesto High (major decision, 11-1) and Enochs’ Hunter Terrasas (decision, 8-6).

Mattox finished fifth with a 2-2 record at 121 pounds.

He collected wins against Johansen’s Rances Barlandas (pin, 2:41) and Enochs’ Zia Martinez (pin, 3:20/pin, 1:43).

Mattox lost to top-seeded Francisco Pulido of Downey (technical fall, 19-3) and Central Valley’s Emilio Castillo (major decision, 12-1).

Central Valley’s Urijah Krigbaum finished seventh with a 4-2 record at 145 pounds.

He collected wins against Riverbank’s Carlos Barrera Hernandez (technical fall, 15-0), Gregori’s Cole Lima (decision, 5-4), Livingston’s Juan Avalos (technical fall, 15-0) and Merced’s Michael Alvarado (pin, 4:36). 

Krigbaum lost to Beyer’s Adrian Revera (decision, 16-12) and Johansen’s Atticus Nicholas (decision, 6-3).

“It’s our first varsity tournament of the year,” said coach Beckhart. “We identified some things we need to work on and get better at.”

Ceres High’s girls team had four individual champions at the Bristow Brawl.

The top three grapplers in each weight class medaled.

“I’m super proud with the way our girls are wrestling,” commented Hulstine. “They’re working very hard. It’s fun to watch.”

Gabriella Cole, Evelynn Tubera, Aubrianna Bautista and Dayanna Alvarez claimed titles at 105, 110, 115 and 125 pounds, respectively.

Abigail Schultz placed second at 135 pounds.

Avril Gaona and Sharon Wheeling placed third at 100 and 130 pounds, respectively.

Central Valley’s Giana Breshears (133-138 pounds) and Alicia Espinoza (202-232s) both placed first in their respective weight brackets.

Vanesa Mendoza-Balbuena (145-151s) finished second.

Hawk teammates Divina Velasquez (103-105s), Valeria Garcia Morales (105-108s) and Giselle De La Torre (152-155s) all took third. 

“Overall, I think all the girls did really well,” Central Valley leader Brandy Cordova said. “They don’t give up. They wrestle hard until the whistle is blown.”