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CV makes history by claiming another WAC title
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Central Valley High Schools varsity wrestling team had six individual champions at the WAC Championships, including (clockwise from top left) Andrew Marquez, Jose Castillo, Luis Saucedo, David Lezama, Gabriel Martinez and Jason Beckhart. - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity wrestling program annexed its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference overall title this past week.

The Hawks needed to finish among the top two teams at the WAC Championships on Friday in Patterson to repeat.

Central Valley racked up 168 points on its way to a first-place showing.

Ceres High (133), Los Banos (122.5), Livingston (96), Patterson (70), El Capitan (67) and Pacheco (44.5) placed second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

"It's pretty remarkable," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "This is something we'll always remember forever. When you're winning, sometimes you get complacent and lose focus. The kids knew what was at stake."

Central Valley made program history last week as six of its wrestlers captured individual titles, including Luis Saucedo (115 pounds), Jose Castillo (140s), Andrew Marquez (162s), Gabriel Martinez (172s), Jason Beckhart (222s) and David Lezama (287 pounds).

The Hawks had a total of nine finalists. Christian Oliver (134s), Severo Vazquez (147s) and Adrian Badillo (184) brought home second-place medals.

Alex Alvarado (154s), Tyler Beckhart (197s) and Ryan Hendrix (128s) also medaled.

Alvarado took third in his weight class.

Beckhart and Hendrix both placed fourth.

"Overall, the kids did remarkably well," coach Beckhart said. "They were ready and focused. I couldn't be more proud of them."

Approximately 12 of the Hawks' 14 grapplers qualified to compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV meet, to be staged at Central Valley this Friday and Saturday.

"We're starting to get to the part of the season where everything matters," Rob Beckhart said. "Our kids are winning because they're still pushing. Our practices have been pretty intense."

The Hawks posted a perfect 6-0 record against WAC dual-meet competition for the third year in a row during the regular season.

Central Valley accomplished a first when it brought home the blue banner from the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Teams Duals the previous week. "We've had a great year," coach Beckhart said.