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CVHS grapplers qualify for Sac-Joaquin Divison-IV tourney
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Central Valleys Jose Medina compiled a 3-1 record en route to a third-place finish in the 285-pound weight division at the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday at Ceres High. Medina and nine of his Hawk teammates will compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV tourney this week. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's varsity wrestling team compiled a perfect 6-0 record during the Western Athletic Conference dual-meet season.

The Hawks totaled 207 points en route to a third-place finish at the WAC Championships on Saturday at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.

Central Catholic (220) and Los Banos (214.50) finished ahead of Central Valley.

Patterson (203), Ceres High (132), Pacheco (126) and Livingston (110) placed fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

"I'm not disappointed," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "We opened a lot of eyes this year. I'm not taking anything away from Central Catholic. We didn't have the most technically sound wrestlers. But we had the best team in the league. That's based on what we were able to do together. I wouldn't trade my kids for the world. I'm proud of all of them."

Central Valley had three individual champions at the WAC finals: Adrian Vizcaino, Rick Brown and Ethan Rotondo.

Vizcaino, Brown, Rotondo and Hawk teammates Cristian Garcia, Michael Manzur, Eddy Nunez, Adrian Badillo, Cesar Yepiz, Jose Medina and Luis Torres all advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament.

Central Valley's Jose Castillo and Ricardo Briseno were named alternates.

Vizcaino, a 184-pound senior, captured his third straight WAC crown.

"He's the first three-time league champ we've had," Beckhart said. "That's pretty significant. He deserves it. He's had tough weight classes every year."

Adrian won all three of his matches last week.

Vizcaino edged Central Catholic/2012-13 CIF State Meet qualifier Reggie Bland 6-5 in overtime for the title.

Adrian forced OT with an escape and a takedown in the final 30 seconds.

Vizcaino lost twice to Bland this past season.

"It was a great match," Beckhart said. "That's what happens when you have two good wrestlers. Adrian was losing by three points. He could have quit but continued to fight."

Vizcaino also collected wins against Livingston's Harnek Singh (pin) and Patterson's Brad Gill (pin).

Brown placed first with a 2-0 record in the 174-pound division.

He beat Pacheco's Johnny Del Rio (pin) and Patterson's Jerry Arrendondo (pin).

Rick won a WAC title during his sophomore year.

"He was able to come back and wrestle at a high level after taking a year off," Beckhart said. "It's a testament to his work ethic."

Ethan claimed the 108-pound title.

The freshman standout won all three of his matches.

Rotondo beat Los Banos' Jeremiah Diaz (major decision, 13-2), Livingston's Rajanvir Chahal (pin) and Patterson's Adrian Luna (decision, 12-6).

"I'm extremely proud of what Ethan's been able to do this year," Beckhart said. He's going to be someone people are going to talk about for a long time. The sky's the limit for him."

Garcia (147 pounds, 2-1 record) had to settle for runner-up honors.

Cristian lost by decision (7-2) to Central Catholic's Christian Dominguez in the finals.

Garcia beat Livingston's Edgar Pimentel (pin) and Pacheco's Gerardo Sanchez (pin).

Manzur (122s, 3-1), Nunez (162s, 3-1), Badillo (197s, 3-1), Medina (285s, 3-1) and Yepiz (222s, 2-1) finished third in their respective divisions.

Michael beat Pacheco's Aaron Jaime (major decision, 15-5), Livingston's Jatin Anand (pin) and Patterson's Joshua Roberts (decision, 5-0).

Manzur lost by pin to eventual-champion Josh Bustamante of Los Banos during the semifinals.

Eddy beat Pacheco's Joseph Reinbold (major decision, 15-5), Los Banos' Paul Reyes (decision, 6-4) and Ceres High's Diego Diaz (pin).

Nunez lost by decision (7-1) to runner-up Michael Boschi of Patterson.

Adrian beat Pacheco's Anthony Quijano (pin), Central Catholic's Austin Cook (decision, 8-4) and Patterson's Francisco Plasencia (decision, 4-2).

Jose beat Patterson's Darrius Hunt (pin), Livingston's Diego Solis (pin) and Ceres High's Jose Arita (decision, 5-1).

Medina lost by pin to eventual-champion Evan Duran of Los Banos.

Cesar beat Patterson's Michael Vasquez (pin) and Central Catholic's Sergio Alverez (pin).

Yepiz lost by pin to eventual-champion Nicholas Vermillion of Pacheco.

Torres (154s, 2-2) placed fourth.

Luis beat Ceres High's Jorge Sandoval (pin) and Patterson's Daniel Linares (pin).

Torres lost by major decision (15-2) to eventual-champion Galhiel Dillard of Central Catholic and decision (11-4) to Los Banos' Dalton Brooks.

Castillo (134s, 1-2) and Briseno (115s, 1-2) both took fifth.

Jose beat Pacheco's Martin Perez (decision, 7-2).

Castillo lost to Los Banos' Andrew Cintora (decision, 2-0) and Livingston's Christian Moreno (decision, 5-3).

Briseno beat Patterson's Steve Rincon (decision, 7-5).

Ricardo lost to Central Catholic's Steven Abbate (pin) and Ceres High's Louis Camarillo (pin).