Central Valley’s girls golf program reached new heights this fall against league competition.

The Hawks placed third in the Western Athletic Conference’s overall standings with 33 points.

The top three teams in the WAC qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament.

Central Valley also topped Lathrop for the first time in program history.

“It’s our best season to date,” head coach Kelly Wheelock said. “We qualified for Divisionals as a team. We’ve never done that all the years I’ve been here.”

Team performances during WAC Dual, Mid-Season Tournament and Year-End Championships determined overall placement in league.

Livingston (46) and Beyer (45) took first and second, respectively, in the overall standings.

Central Valley finished ahead of Lathrop (30), Pacheco (18) Johansen (15) and Grace Davis (6).

Crosstown-rival Ceres High didn’t field a team this year due to a lack of interest.

“The girls continued to improve throughout the year,” Wheelock said. “They had fun and competed. That’s all we wanted.”

Central Valley placed third at the WAC Championships.

The Hawks edged out the fourth-place Spartans for the conference’s third-and-final Divisional berth.

Central Valley and Lathrop totaled 15 and 12 points, respectively.

“The girls knew where they stood,” Wheelock said. “It was cool to be in that situation.”

Elia Hernandez led the Hawks with a 98. She broke 100 for the first time in her career.

Hawk teammates Emily Mariani, Audrey Rico, Skarlett Maldonado and Nevaeh Perez shot 114, 128, 141 and 145, respectively.

Central Valley took fourth at the WAC Midseason Tournament due to a thin lineup.

The Hawks (8) finished behind Beyer (14), Livingston (12) and Lathrop (10).

Central Valley bested Johansen (6), Pacheco (4) and Grace Davis (2).

Hernandez led the Hawks with a 120.

Rico, Perez and Maldonado rounded out Central Valley’s scorecard with 136, 149 and 159, respectively.

Mariani did not compete as she traveled with her family to San Diego for a college visit.

“We did better than last year,” Wheelock said. “I knew we’d be competitive. Girls consistently showing up and putting in the work was the difference.”

“This is the first year we didn’t have to forfeit one match,” he added. “We had enough players.”

Hernandez, Mariani, Perez, Rico, Maldonado, Leslie Ayala (Jr.), Nadia Gudino (Jr.), Faith Solorio (Jr.), Dalia Hernandez (Fr.) and Alison Vargas (Fr.) made up Central Valley’s 10-person roster this year.

Hernandez, Mariani, Perez, Rico, Maldonado and Vargas started.

“Our girls always had a good attitude,” Wheelock said. “They all liked each other. That’s never been an issue. I’ve lucked out. Most of the girls were there every day when we had practice. They wanted to get better. They’re a special group. All of the girls are top-notch, high-character kids.”

The Hawks will graduate three players, including Hernandez, Mariani and Perez.

“It’s going to hurt losing them,” Wheelock said. “Their leadership was phenomenal.”

Rico, Maldonado, Vargas, Ayala, Gudino, Solorio, and Dalia Hernandez could return to the team next fall.

“Golf is super hard,” Wheelock said. “The more you work, the more results you’ll see. You learn your biggest lessons when you don’t do well.”