The members of Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s wrestling programs faced stiff competition at the Sierra Nevada Classic this past weekend.
Central Valley’s girls continued their run of success by finishing in a program-best seventh place at the 61-team tournament, staged on Dec. 29 at the Downtown Reno Events Center.
The Hawks totaled 72 points.
Reed (131), Central (106-5) and Gregori (95) took first, second and third, respectively.
Central Valley had five individual medalists on its way to placing third at the First Annual Super Girl Showdown on Dec. 22 at Ceres High.
The Hawks had 10 grapplers medal at the Clash Before Christmas on Dec. 17 in Los Banos.
“It’s encouraging to see the girls wrestling so well. It was our goal to put them in bigger tournaments to prepare them for league.”Central Valley Coach Brandy Cordova
“This is the best we’ve done as far as team score goes,” Central Valley head coach Brandy Cordova said while talking about the Hawks’ performance in Reno. “It’s encouraging to see the girls wrestling so well. It was our goal to put them in bigger tournaments to prepare them for league.”
Brianna Espinoza placed second with a 2-1 record in the 235-pound weight bracket.
She beat Vintage’s Ava Raines (pin, 0:26) and Modesto High’s Marie Cadriel (pin, 1:14).
“She did a really good job,” Cordova said. “She didn’t disappoint. She’s worked really hard in the wrestling room to learn moves and puts them into play when she’s on the mat.”
Giana Breshears placed fourth with a 2-2 record at 145 pounds.
She beat Hazen’s Katherine Strickland (pin, 2:36) and Corning Union’s Kaitlyn Bailey (pin, 4:17).
“We knew she’d do well,” Cordova said. “She’s been practicing hard and focusing on moves we’ve been teaching her.”
Alicia Espinoza posted a 4-1 record at 165 pounds.
She beat Shadow Ridge’s Asiral Berry (pin, 1:17), Ponderosa’s Olivia Russel (pin, 0:34), Central Valley’s Gabriella Ramirez (pin, 1:27) and White Pine’s Zoei Mathews (pin, 4:57).
Itzel Romero posted a 2-2 record at 120 pounds.
She beat Culver’s Taryn McClure (pin, 0:26) an Roseville’s Jazmin Roschmann (forfeit).
Samantha Padilla posted a 2-2 record at 114 pounds.
She beat White Pine’s Jade DeLeon (pin, 1:32) and Harrisburg’s Lucy Hill (pin, 0:48).
Vanesa Mendoza Balbuena posted a 1-2 record at 185 pounds.
She beat Gridley’s Alicia Torres (pin, 0:24).
Gabriella Ramirez posted a 1-2 record at 165 pounds.
She beat White Pine’s Taylee Hope McDade-Davis (pin, 2:33).
Taylor McGuire posted a 1-2 record at 145 pounds.
She beat Douglas’ Kalia Blumenthal (pin, 4:42).
Tarnjot Kaur posted a 1-2 record at 114 pounds.
She beat Gregori’s Fernanda Resendiz (pin, 4:38).
Soriah Corona posted a 1-2 record at 107 pounds.
She beat Reed’s Alexandria Cherry (pin, 1:39).
Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s boys finished 50th and 63rd, respectively.
The 77-team tournament was held, Dec. 28-29.
The Hawks and Bulldogs totaled 36.5 and 17 points in the team standings.
Central Valley’s 15 wrestlers had a combined record of 13-30.
“We did well,” Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart said. “It’s a tough tournament. We had kids that wrestled state and national champs. You don’t get those experiences in your wrestling room. It’s good to give the kids something to strive for.”
Joey Zuniga compiled a 3-2 record at 126 pounds.
He bested Spring Creek’s Colton Cunningham (pin, 4:00), Del Oro’s Brayden Gury (major decision, 16-2) and Vintage’s Riley Youngblood (decision, 10-7).
Trey Anderson compiled a 2-2 record at 175 pounds.
He bested West Park’s Michael Hernandez (pin, 2:51) and Wooster’s Aiden McElveney (pin, 1:57).
Angel Melgoza compiled a 2-2 record at 150 pounds.
He bested Hazen’s Quinn Lillywhite (pin, 2:24) and Lowry’s Damon Fetty (pin, 4:45).
Kenneth Orrin compiled a 1-2 record at 165 pounds.
He bested Battle Ground’s Hutch Hayslip (pin, 0:40).
Elijah Lee compiled a 1-2 record at 144 pounds
He bested Ceres High’s Joseph Alcala (technical fall, 18-3).
Albert Gonzales compiled a 1-2 record at 138 pounds.
He bested Mazama’s Treyce Horton (medical forfeit).
Isaac Lee compiled a 1-2 record at 120 pounds.
He bested Rocklin’s Mark Pojan (pin, 5:57).
Caleb Beckhart compiled a 1-2 record at 113 pounds.
He bested El Dorado’s Dante Selway (pin, 2:11).
David Contreras compiled a 1-2 record at 113 pounds.
He bested Spring Creek’s Scottie Adams (decision, 5-4).
Ceres High’s eight grapplers had a combined record of 5-16.
“Our main goal was to get mat time at a higher level,” Bulldogs’ head coach Casey Paulino said. “A lot of our kids are new.”
Jaylin Jackson compiled a 1-2 record at 285 pounds.
He bested Hug’s Lavemia Funganitao (pin, 2:11).
Malakhi Gilmore compiled a 1-2 record at 215 pounds.
He bested Casa Roble’s Jayden Branscombe (pin, 3:36).
Dakota Adams compiled a 1-2 record at 126 pounds.
He bested Galena’s Cameron Stinger (pin, 2:32).
Parker Borges compiled a 1-2 record at 120 pounds.
He bested Glide’s Zach Sahr (pin, 1:15).
Calen Adams compiled a 1-2 record at 106 pounds.
He bested Yerington’s Seth Otto (pin, 1:12).
