Twelve members of Central Valley’s boys wrestling program competed at the James Riddle Memorial Tournament on Dec. 11 at Oakdale High School.

The Hawks had two individual placers.

Central Valley totaled 68 points en route to a tie for ninth with Laguna Creek in the team standings.

Buchanan (275), Oakdale (273.5) and De La Salle (156) took first, second and third, respectively.

“They met my expectations,” head coach Rob Beckhart said. “Our goal was to be in the top 10.”

Hawk senior Ruben Valenzuela claimed his second straight tournament title.

He placed first with a 4-0 record in the 182-pound weight division.

Valenzuela climbed to No. 6 in the state rankings. He’s won all 12 of his matches this season.

“He’s not sneaking up on anyone anymore,” Beckhart said. “He can expect to get some tough matches.”

“Ruben is just very focused,” he added. “He knows what he’s got to do when he’s out there.”

Valenzuela upset Bakersfield’s Tye Monteiro via first-round pin (1:16) in the finals of the Oakdale tournament.

Monteiro was ranked second in the state prior to the match.

“He knew who he beat,” Beckhart said. “It’s a match he wanted.”

Valenzuela also defeated Oakdale’s Jordan Van Rys (pin, 3:08) in the semifinals, Buchanan’s Jackson Brusseau (pin, 2:32) in the quarterfinals and Sonora’s Zach Craig (pin, 0:48) in the second round.

Issac Harkrader, a transfer from Beyer, placed seventh at 170 pounds.

He compiled a 3-1 record.

Harkrader won three straight matches after losing by pin (0:34) to eventual-champion/No. 1 state ranked Ceasar Garza of Oakdale in the opening round. 

He defeated Calaveras’ Garrette Randolph (pin, 0:38), Sonora’s Clay Wooldbridge (pin, 2:51) and Hilmar’s Cody Bray (pin, 2:02).

“The best he could do was seventh,”Beckhart said. “He wrestled to his potential. He just got a bad draw in the bracket. He could have done better if it was drawn up a little different.”

Roman Vargas won one of three matches at 285 pounds.

Vargas defeated Downey’s Ian Sharples (pin, 2:59).

He lost to Lodi’s Felipe DeMatos (pin, 1:58) and Calaveras’ Alberto Molina (pin, 1:00).

Elijah DeLeon won one of his three matches at 160 pounds.

DeLeon defeated Summerville’s Clavey Wood (decision, 5-2).

He lost to Denair’s Conner Prock (pin, 2:35) and Lincoln’s Luciano Hernandez (pin, 1:43).

Juan Melgoza won one of his three matches at 152 pounds.

Melgoza defeated Oakdale’s Jack Hopkins (pin, 4:52).

He lost to Foothill’s David Van Mol (pin, 1:10) and Turlock’s Logan Todd (major decision, 12-1).

Adan Garcia won one of three matches at 145 pounds.

Garcia defeated Summerville’s Cole Ray (decision, 11-8).

He lost to De La Salle’s Franklin Enkhmandakh (technical fall, 15-0) and Palma’s Isaiah Rangel (technical fall, 16-1).

Cesar Pacheco won one of three matches at 132 pounds.

Pacheco defeated Foothill’s Micah Brown (pin, 3:39).

He lost to Bakersfield’s Christian Herrera (pin, 3:22) and Buchanan’s Travis Sirwet (pin, 3:18).

Joey Zuniga won one of three matches at 126 pounds.

Zuniga defeated Hilmar’s Michael Bear (pin, 1:52).

He lost to Oakdale’s Michael Torres (pin, 0:21) and Bakersfield’s Jonathan Woods (pin, 3:37).

Nick Genasci won one of three matches at 120 pounds.

Genasci defeated Manteca’s Derrick Day (decision, 6-5).

He lost to Oakdale’s Eziequel Vela (technical fall, 15-0) and Turlock’s Anthony Campa (decision, 2-0).

Andrew Torres posted an 0-2 record at 182 pounds.

He lost to Oakdale’s Emilio Johnson (pin, 1:11) and Turlock’s Elijah Watson (pin, 2:49).

Juan Alonzo posted an 0-2 record at 170 pounds.

He lost to Foothill’s Savion Wilson (pin, 0:45) and Hilmar’s Cody Bray (pin, 2:52).

Albert Gonzales posted an 0-2 record at 138 pounds.

He lost to Buchanan’s Regino Raiz (pin, 1:18) and Orland’s Cody Hoffman (pin, 0:25).