Brianna Espinoza has been named Central Valley High School’s Female Golden Hawk Award winner for the class of 2025.

“I’m truly proud of myself because I reached my goals I set for myself and that I was able to represent Central Valley,” she said. 

“I believe I exceeded my expectations as a student-athlete,” Espinoza added. “My family, friends, teammates and coaches really helped me these past four years.”

A point system taking into account athletic achievement determined the winner.

Espinoza’s name will be displayed on a banner inside Central Valley’s gymnasium, along with Jannet Valencia (2024), Janessa Godinez (2023), Julia Roton (2022), Isabella Pelayo (2021), Aryanna Jimenez (2020), Brianna Quiroz (2019), Nayeli Pelayo (2018), Blanca Espinoza (2017), Mikayla Mabie (2016), Heaven Simon (2015), Lexy Cordova (2014), Malynda Lomeli (2013), Drucella Miranda (2012), Alyssa Long (2011), Amanda Lopez (2010), Julie Calderon (2009) and Latrisha Jordan (2008).

“I’m really happy I won it,” she said. “I wanted to win it since I saw the banner in the gym my freshman year.”

Espinoza earned eight varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in wrestling, and two in both flag football and track and field.

“She’s the most accomplished female wrestler in the 20-year history of Central Valley High School,” Hawks’ Athletic Director Greg Magni added.

Espinoza stands alone as Central Valley’s all-time greatest wrestler, female or male.

“I accomplished a lot and I’m proud of it,” she said. “I made a great record that I know I will forever be proud of. I again don’t believe in the title that I’m the greatest wrestler at CV. There are so many great wrestlers in the room that are not recognized from years before until now.”

Espinoza made school history by becoming the Hawks’ first-ever two-time state placer this past winter.

Espinoza accomplished the feat after finishing in eighth place at the 2025 CIF State Girls Wrestling Championships.

“I’m thankful that I was able to place at state again and even more thankful for the community I had around me,” Espinoza stated. “My coaches, teammates, friends, and family are also a part of this accomplishment because they helped me reach this goal.”

Espinoza posted a 4-3 record in the 235-pound weight bracket at the state meet. She collected wins against Firebaugh’s Miranda Rodriguez (pin, 3:06), Rio Mesa’s Alison Cortes (pin, 2:54), Hiram Johnson’s Nancy Hernandez (pin, 1:16) and Justin Garza’s Noe Sedano (pin, 1:31).

“She’s the first Central Valley wrestler to place at state twice,” Hawks’ head coach Brandy Cordova said. “She did the work to get herself there. Watching her continue to develop and become a better wrestler each season was great to see.”

Espinoza amassed a 47-13 overall record senior year. She advanced to state for the third year in a row.

She finished second at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament.

She claimed her third consecutive South Regional title.

She won her fourth straight league championship, including first in the Western Athletic Conference. She was a three-time Central California Conference champion.

Espinoza also accomplished a first in program history by collecting 100 career wins.

“The sport was challenging in different ways, mentally being the biggest one,” she said. “I think I was able to succeed because I pushed through. I fought for my goals.”

Espinoza took sixth with a 3-3 mark at state as a junior.

She was winless at the event sophomore year.

Espinoza’s first season with the Hawks ended at Masters.

“Initially, I was not going to wrestle,” she said. “I had never done the sport and only had watched my older sister Sammy wrestle. She’s a huge reason why I decided to do the sport.”

Central Valley placed a program-best third at the Sac-Joaquin South Regional Tournament, finished ninth at Masters and defended its CCC overall championship during Espinoza’s sophomore year.

“I’m forever grateful I made the decision to wrestle when I did because it truly created memories for me in high school as well as helped me grow as a person,” she said.

Espinoza, a center/quarterback, was named Central Valley’s WAC Sportsmanship Award winner during the flag football season.

She passed for 316 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

She also hauled in eight passes for 101 yards for the Hawks, who compiled a 7-7 record en route to a fourth-place finish in league play.

“She had a positive attitude,” head coach Tony Cordova stated. “She was never negative. She was willing to give up playing time because she wanted everybody to get the chance to play.”

Espinoza took fifth in the discus with a toss of 79 feet, six inches while representing Central Valley’s track and field team at the WAC Championships.

She set a personal record in the event (82-4) on her way to finishing in first place during the Hawks’ WAC tri-meet versus Grace Davis and Pacheco.

Espinoza took a total of six Advanced Placement classes at Central Valley, including language, literature, biology, statistics, government and psychology.

She was also enrolled in a dual enrollment history class for Modesto Junior College.

Espinoza has yet to finalize her college plans. 

“I plan to attend an out-of-state college,” she said. “My dreams have always been to go far. I don’t plan to do sports again. I plan to stick to studies. I just wanted to live out my high school career and I’m thankful that I had tools from CV that helped me. It truly was an experience that was memorable. I met so many great people.”