Central Valley’s girls golf program capped off its 2025 season at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament on Oct. 28 at Lodi’s Micke Grove Golf Course.

“We qualified for Divisionals as a whole team,” Hawks’ head coach Kelly Wheelock said. “To be the first team to do that is pretty cool. The girls are excited about it.”

Central Valley did not post a team score at Divisionals due to a lack of numbers as senior Nevaeh Perez was sidelined because she was sick.

The Hawks’ shorthanded lineup featured Elia Hernandez (Sr.), Emily Mariani (Sr.), Audrey Rico (Jr.) and Skarlett Maldonado (Fr.).

Hernandez led Central Valley with a 108 on the par-72 course.

She missed advancing to the Masters Tournament by several strokes.

“She was in the hunt,” Wheelock said. 

Mariani, Rico and Maldonado posted scores of 113, 133 and 168, respectively.

“There were some really good players there,” Wheelock said. “Our girls all played well for their last match.”

Hernandez, Mariani, Rico, Maldonado, Perez and Alison Vargas (Fr.) helped lead Central Valley to new heights during the 2025 campaign.

Leslie Ayala (Jr.), Nadia Gudino (Jr.), Faith Solorio (Jr.) and Dalia Hernandez (Fr.) rounded out the Hawks’ 10-person roster.

Mariani, Perez, Rico, Maldonado, Vargas and Elia Hernandez started.

“We’re happy with the season we had,” Wheelock said. “We had a very successful year.”

“Our girls had fun and competed,” he added.

Wheelock praised Hawks’ new assistant coach Jimmy Almanza. 

Almanza’s daughter and niece both played golf for Central Valley in previous years.

“Having him around helped a lot,” Wheelock said. “It was a huge benefit.”

Central Valley made program history this year by finishing in third place in the Western Athletic Conference’s overall standings.

The top three teams qualified for Divisionals.

Central Valley also topped WAC-rival Lathrop for the first time.

Team performances during WAC Dual, Mid-Season Tournament and Year-End Championships determined overall placement in league.

“Our girls always had a good attitude,” Wheelock said. “They all liked each other. That’s never been an issue. I’ve lucked out. Most of the girls were there every day when we had practice. They wanted to get better. They’re a special group. All of the girls are top-notch, high-character kids.”

Perez, Mariani and Elia Hernandez will be lost to graduation.

Hernandez and Mariani were both four-year starters.

Perez was a newcomer.

“It’s going to hurt losing them,” Wheelock said. “Their leadership was phenomenal.”

Central Valley will face a rebuilding year in 2026.

Rico, Maldonado, Vargas, Ayala, Gudino, Solorio and Dalia Hernandez could return to the team.

“Golf is super hard,” Wheelock said. “The more you work, the more results you’ll see. You learn your biggest lessons when you don’t do well.”