Caleb Beckhart enjoyed a breakout year during his final season with Central Valley’s boys water polo team.

Beckhart was rewarded for making a difference in the pool during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting last month at Beyer.

Hawk teammates Ari Luman and Nick De Leon, and Ceres High’s Jaxon Merrill, Julian Tamayo and Abel Samaniego also garnered praise.

Beckhart, a senior, and Merrill, a sophomore, were both selected to the WAC Second Team.

Beckhart was Central Valley’s best, all-round player.

He totaled four goals in a pair of victories versus crosstown-rival Ceres High.

“Caleb played such a critical role on our team this season,” Hawks’ head coach Tyler Bolton said. “It seemed like every big play we had, Caleb was involved in some way. Caleb had so many big goals in crucial opportunities and some incredible stops on defense. I thought because of his strong overall performance that he deserved a second-team nod, which the other coaches agreed.”

Merrill developed into Ceres High’s top overall player this fall.

“Our offense revolved around him,” Bulldogs’ head coach Sebastian Huerta-Alvarado said. “He became what we needed him to be. We trusted him.”

Merrill tallied a team-high 38 goals and six assists in 13 games.

“He was our first option,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “He was the strongest player we had. He understood what his role was in the pool. He had self-confidence. Last season, he was a quiet player.”

Merrill was a role player as a freshman.

He had two goals and no assists.

“Jaxon sees the competition and wants to get better,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “He’s made water polo his world. He’s willing to learn more. He has a great work ethic. He’s very selfless. He understands when to shoot or be that first option. He’s strong, confident and smart. He just loves to play and have fun. He’s only going to do more.”

Luman (So.), DeLeon (Sr.), Tamayo (So.) and Samaniego (Sr.) were honorable-mention WAC selections.

Luman and DeLeon were co-captains this year.

Luman totaled four goals against Ceres High.

“Ari was a point of focus for our offense this season and almost always had a touch on the ball in our offensive possessions,” Bolton said. “The sky is the limit for Ari. If he takes this upcoming swim season seriously, and then continues that focus on water polo next season, he will be a force to be reckoned with ... Nick took it upon himself to take the brunt of the defensive plays. He was always guarding the other team’s two-meter player and always had to be very physical, defensively. He had a huge role on our team.”

A newcomer to the sport, Tamayo ranked second on the team in scoring with 17 goals.

He also collected one assist.

“He was our most improved player,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “He’s somebody that doesn’t quit. He’s a dog.”

Samaniego ranked third on the team in scoring with 10 goals and tied for second in assists with seven.

He managed to fill the stat sheet despite missing five games after fracturing the ring finger on his shooting hand.

“Injuries happen,” said Huerta-Alvarado. “It’s something that couldn’t have been prevented. He was just playing the game.”

Samaniego was a member of Ceres High’s boys water polo program for four seasons.

He was team captain the past three years.

The four-time, WAC honorable-selection totaled 76 goals during his prep career. 

“Abel was very consistent,” remarked Huerta-Alvarado. “Some kids needed to work up to his level. He does have talent. I really appreciated his work ethic.”

Central Valley compiled a 4-10 record on its way to a sixth-place finish in the WAC standings.

Ceres High (2-12) took seventh.

The Hawks swept the Bulldogs and Lathrop Spartans.

Ceres High’s two wins came against Lathrop.

The Hawks bested the Bulldogs twice (4-2, 8-3) this year.

“We battled through adversity,” Huerta-Alvarado said. “We had to deal with only having seven players for most of the season. There were some glimpses of gold in the water. We’re young. We’ll get better eventually. I know the culture has changed.”

“It’s been really cool to see the progression from last season to this season,” Bolton added. “The games were much closer. Hopefully, we can keep being competitive.