Seniors Alicia Espinoza and Giana Breshears put the finishing touches on remarkable prep grappling careers while representing Central Valley’s girls wrestling program at the CIF State Meet last week.

Espinoza brought home a seventh-place medal from the Feb. 26-28 event staged at Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield. 

Breshears showed significant improvement from past performances on the big stage.

“To see how well they did brings us pride,” head coach Brandy Cordova said. “It comes down to their buy-in and how hard they were willing to work. They gave 110 percent every day for the past four months. We intentionally took them to tough tournaments this season to prepare them for state.”

Espinoza made program history by becoming just the third wrestler from Central Valley to medal at state.

She followed in the footsteps of older sister/two-time medalist Brianna Espinoza (class of 2026) and Nayeli Pelayo (class of 2018).

“It was a tough tournament,” Alicia said. “I’m happy to have placed. It was an honor to have joined my sister Nana in placing.”

“We’re very happy for her,” Cordova said. “Her ultimate goal was to (get on the) podium. That’s what she’s worked for all season.”

Espinoza posted a 6-2 record in the heavyweight division at state.

“Honestly going to state, I felt more comfortable,” she said. “I knew it was going to be hard, but I had to remind myself it’s just another tournament, another match. I didn’t feel a whole lot of pressure even considering it was my senior year. I had nothing to lose, but more to gain.”

Seeded fifth, Espinoza dropped into the consolation bracket after being upset by 12th-seeded Adelena Martinez of Hemet (pin, 1:46) in the Round of 16.

“Even though I got upset earlier in the tournament, to me it was just another lesson to be learned,” she said. “I still believed in myself. I had been in blood rounds before and I knew I could do it.”

Espinoza collected wins against San Jose’s Alexandra Marquez Armas (pin, 0:38), Cabrillo’s Leilah Carter (pin, 0:58), Hughson’s Annebella Austin (pin, 0:30), Hiram Johnson’s Nancy Hernandez (decision, 8-4) and Chico’s Brianna Reid (pin, 2:08).

She received a bye in the opening round of the tournament.

“Alicia never lost focus,” Cordova said. “She knew what she needed to do. She had been in that position before at other tournaments.”

A newcomer to the heavyweight division this season, Espinoza amassed a career-best 53-7 overall record.

She became Central Valley’s first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament champion.

She took first at South Regionals.

She also matched Brianna’s feat of winning four league titles.

“It’s her best season to date,” Cordova said. 

Espinoza was at least 20 pounds lighter than the majority of her opponents.

“She was using moves that typical heavyweights don’t use,” Cordova said. “She was doing outside single legs. That was one of her biggest advantages.”

Alicia’s two older sisters Brianna and Sammy played pivotal roles in her development as a wrestler.

Alicia watched Brianna and Sammy practice and compete at Central Valley when she was in junior high.

“She was hyper-focused in everything she was hearing and seeing,” Cordova said. “She was creating her memory bank.”

“Both of my sisters are such huge supporters in everything I do, even outside of wrestling,” Alicia stated. “They’re such good human beings and so full of love. They deserve everything good that finds their way.” 

“The relationship between the sisters is unmatched,” Cordova added. “Alicia learned from what they did. She took all that knowledge and used it during her career.”

Rosario Aviña, Espinoza’s mother, has also been a big supporter and role model.

“My mom is a really hard worker,” Alicia said. “I think it rubs off on her kids. I think she’s really proud of all of us. She doesn’t push us to make herself feel better. She pushes us to become ambitious women. She’s never tried to act like a coach. .”

Espinoza had a career record of 145-99 with the Hawks.

“Her place in CV history is set in stone,” Cordova said. “It’s going to be a while before anyone can match that. More and more girls are getting into wrestling. It’s going to be a tough road.”

Unseeded, Breshears finished in the top 16 while competing in the 135-pound weight bracket at this year’s state tournament.

“She wanted to improve upon her previous state performances,” Cordova said. “The dedication she put in the room helped her prepare for this weekend.”

Breshears posted a 2-2 record.

She won one of three matches at state the previous two years.

She lost twice as a freshman.

“We’re happy with how well she wrestled,” Cordova said.

Breshears collected wins against Gunn’s Mei Elgierari (decision, 10-5) and Fremont’s Maya Camarena (pin, 1:29).

“She knew the competition she would be facing would be fierce,” Cordova said. “She left everything on the mat.”

Breshears compiled a career-best 51-14 overall record senior year.

She finished fourth at Masters.

She took first at Divisionals and the WAC finals.

She fell two matches short of placing at state.

“As a coach, you always want that for your wrestler,” Cordova said.

Breshears amassed a 172-55 record during her four-year career at Central Valley.

“You can’t ask for anything more,” Cordova said while talking about Breshears’ list of accomplishments. “From day one, she’s been a determined young lady with a fire inside her that no one can match. Her place in history is going to be there for a very long time. I don’t foresee any wrestler going to state four times any time soon.”

Breshears made program history by becoming Central Valley’s first four-time, CIF State Meet qualifier.

“She exceeded expectations,” Cordova said. “None of us thought she’d get to state freshman year. That’s unheard of especially for someone that didn’t wrestle their whole life at the club level.”

Breshears also won a pair of conference titles.

“When we first saw her, she was using her strength to get through her matches,” Cordova said. “She took constructive criticism and improved. She was open to learning.”

Breshears and Alicia Espinoza will be remembered as two of Central Valley’s all-time greatest wrestlers, along with Brianna Espinoza and Nayeli Pelayo.

Alicia and Giana rank second and fourth, respectively.

“They’re two of the most humble wrestlers I’ve ever coached,” Cordova said. “That’s what kept them focused and driven. They’ve shown you can do well if you’re willing to put in the work. They sacrificed a lot for this sport.”

“CV wrestling has been a huge part of my life,” Espinoza said. “It has opened my eyes to who I am as a person and what I can accomplish. It opened opportunities and so many good people that have impacted my life. It’ll be an honor to be remembered in a good way, but honestly there are so many good wrestlers in this program. I’m more happy to have been part of a loving team. I’m going to miss them.”