The members of Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s girls wrestling programs faced elite competition at the Women’s West Coast Tournament of Champions.

The event was stage Friday and Saturday at the Roebbelen Center in Roseville.

The Hawks totaled 82 points en route to a 15th-place finish in the team standings.

The Bulldogs placed 85th with a team score of 14.

SLAM Academy (143), Basha (130) and Pitman (130) took first, second and third, respectively.

“We exposed them to some very, good wrestlers,” Central Valley head coach Brandy Cordova said. “The competition was immense. It was like State or Masters.”

“It’s one of the toughest tournaments in the nation,” said Ceres High leader Curtis Hulstine. “I compare it to State.”

The Hawks had eight wrestlers compete at the tournament.

The Espinoza sisters, Brianna and Alicia, claimed individual medals.

Both grapplers were unseeded.

“We’re very happy with their performance,” commented Cordova.

Brianna Espinoza placed third with a 5-1 record in the 235-pound weight class.

She collected wins against El Camino’s Hannah Fawver (pin, 0:15), Hiram Johnson’s Nancy Hernandez (pin, 0:19), Lincoln’s Grace Tripp (pin, 0:43), River Valley’s Talia Katzenberger (pin) and Franklin’s Victoria Jimenez (pin, 3:42).

Alicia Espinoza placed fifth with a 4-2 record at 170 pounds.

She collected wins against Laguna Creek’s Isabella Venegas (pin, 0:40), Ceres High’s Elizabeth Boyd (pin, 0:49), Basha’s Julianna Arvizu (pin, 0:36) and Franklin’s Alejandra Ochoa (decision, 6-2).

Central Valley’s Giana Breshears compiled a 3-2 record at 145 pounds.

She collected wins against Lincoln’s Riley Bancroft (decision, 4-2), West’s Gurneet Sanghera (major decision, 11-3) and Reed’s Alyssa Winters (pin, 3:18).

Central Valley’s Kalli Hoffman compiled a 2-2 record at 155 pounds.

She collected wins against Del Oro’s Alexandria Rutledge (pin, 1:31) and Ukiah’s Savannah Nelsen (pin, 2:12).

Central Valley’s Itzel Romero compiled a 1-2 record at 125 pounds.

Her lone victory came against Casa Roble’s Mia Galanti (pin, 0:26).

Central Valley’s Samantha Padilla compiled a 1-2 record at 115 pounds.

Her lone victory came against River City’s Julia Bulanova (pin, 0:27).

Central Valley’s Divina Velasquez compiled a 1-2 record at 105 pounds.

Her lone victory came against Lassen’s Allyssa Kirkpatrick (pin, 4:38).

Central Valley’s Kayla Fernandez compiled an 0-2 record at 100 pounds.

Jaden Stahl, Carmen Arce-Hayes, Elizabeth Boyd, Jadasa Haro, Camila Orellana, Dayanna Alvarez and Illiana Enriques represented Ceres High at the West Coast Tournament of Champions.

Stahl posted a 2-2 record at 130 pounds.

She collected wins against Franklin’s Saffire Soriano (pin, 0:33) and Davis’ Karina Michel (pin, 4:56).

Arce Hayes posted a 2-2 record at 130 pounds.

She collected wins against Monache’s Lailani Castillo (pin, 0:39) and Hiram Johnson’s Jocelyn Smith (pin, 2:21).

Boyd posted a 1-2 record at 170 pounds.

Her lone victory came against Corning Union’s Amariz Marez (pin, 4:00).

Haro, Orellana, Alvarez and Enriques posted identical 0-2 records.

Bulldog, Hawks medal

Ceres High’s Parker Borges and Central Valley’s Angel Melgoza and Samuel Deleon claimed individual medals at the Morning Star Invitational on Saturday in Los Banos.

The boys wrestling tournament featured grapplers from 34 different schools.

“My main goal is to get tough matches for the kids,” Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart said. “I want them to be challenged.”

Melgoza, a junior, claimed the 175-pound championship.

He compiled a 4-0 record.

“I’m happy for him. That’s his first varsity first place. He was finally able to get over the hump.”

Melgoza collected wins against Los Banos’ Isis Villagrana (pin, 1:25), Lathrop’s Lauro Lupian (pin, 1:13), Turlock’s Jaxson Perry (pin, 2:29) and McLane’s Noah Zamora (pin, 1:18).

“He beat everybody by pin. I thought his finals match would be tough. He forced his will and pinned the kid in the first round.”

Melgoza took seventh at the Morning Star Invitational as a sophomore.

“He was focused and determined to do well this year. He’s more mature. He’s bigger and stronger.”

Deleon placed fifth with a 4-2 record at 190 pounds.

He collected a pair of wins against Turlock’s Levi Cook.

Deleon bested Cook by decision (11-7) and pin (1:31).

He also topped Los Banos’ Raul Navarrete (pin, 1:01) and Clovis’ Michael Sanchez (pin, 1:38).

“He could have done a little better. He lost some matches he should have won.”

Deleon lost 50 pounds heading into his final season with the Hawks.

“There’s a lot to be said for a kid that does that. Obviously, it took a lot of determination and grit to lose the weight. He runs, goes to the gym and eats very healthy. He’s a lot happier now. He has more self-confidence.”

Deleon competed in the heavyweight division junior year. He currently weighs 190 pounds.

“He has to do different things at this weight,” Beckhart said. “He’s adapting well. He’s starting to figure it out.”

Borges placed fourth with a 3-2 record at 132 pounds.

He collected wins against Firebaugh’s Omar Perez (pin, 1:52), Livingston’s Rolando Fernandez (decision, 9-7) and Ripon’s Austin Barros (pin, 2:06).

Borges was seeded sixth. He knocked off third-seeded Fernandez and fourth-seeded Barros.

Borges finished fourth at the James Riddle Memorial Invitational the previous weekend.