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CV wrestlers claim another blue banner
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Central Valley junior Severo Vazquez finished in first place with a perfect 4-0 record in the 147-pound bracket. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity wrestling team has met every challenge up to this point of the season.

The Hawks' latest accomplishment was another first in program history.

Central Valley won the team title while hosting the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships this past week.

"There's a constant change of focus as you accomplish things," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "You have to keep pushing forward and working hard."

Central Valley totaled 220.5 points, edging out second-place/crosstown-rival Ceres High (209).

"I'm proud of the kids," Beckhart said. "The goal was to win the tournament. It was a challenge up until the end. Ceres High wrestled really well. They led for most of the tournament."

Luis Saucedo, Christian Oliver, Severo Vazquez, Adrian Badillo, Jose Castillo, Andrew Marquez, Jason Beckhart, David Lezama and Gabriel Martinez all finished in the top four in their respective weight classes en route to securing individual berths to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament.

"Their work ethic and internal drive are making them have successful outcomes," coach Beckhart said.

Saucedo (115 pounds, 3-0 record), Oliver (134s, 3-0), Badillo (184s, 3-0) and Vazquez (147s, 4-0) all captured titles.

Badillo and Vazquez both exacted revenge in the finals.

"If Adrian and Severo lose, Ceres High probably wins the tournament," Rob Beckhart said.

Badillo beat Ceres High's Tyree Williams 8-7 in an ultimate tiebreaker to claim the championship.

"He just wrestled better this time," coach Beckhart said. "He was able to finish opportunities when he had them and didn't give up easy points. I have a feeling they're going to see each other again this weekend."

Vazquez edged Ceres High's John Alba 4-3 in the finals.

"It was one of the better matches of the day," Rob Beckhart said. "They both wrestled really well. It was exciting."

Saucedo and Oliver both won all three of their matches by pin.

"Luis did what I expected him to do," coach Beckhart said. "He was the toughest guy in his bracket. Christian wrestled at a high level."

Castillo (140s, 2-1), Marquez (162s, 2-1), Beckhart (222s, 2-1) and Lezama (287s, 2-1) turned in solid performances while taking second.

Martinez (172s, 3-1) placed third.

"We could have won this tournament last year," Rob Beckhart said. "We had a very bad second day."

The Hawks claimed their second blue banner.

Central Valley defeated Ceres High 44-19 for the title at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Team Duals on Feb. 6.

"There was no individual that won those banners," coach Beckhart said. "It took the entire team."