Central Valley’s boys wrestling program has big plans for the 2025-26 season.
“This is a pretty exciting year for us,” said head coach Rob Beckhart. “We have a strong lineup. We have a senior-heavy program. We’re a hard team to match up against. We just need to go out and wrestle.”
The Hawks have a roster size of 60 grapplers.
“It’s challenging,” Beckhart said while talking about his program’s numbers. “We run three separate practices. The days are long.”
Central Valley’s top returners are Sal Almazan (Sr.), David Alvarado (Sr.), Caleb Beckhart (Sr.), Emilio Castillo (Sr.), Jayden Mattox (Sr.), Rotceh Mendez (Sr.), Sean Vernon (Sr.), Sunny Breshears (Jr.) and Isaac Davalos (So.).
The Hawks’ top newcomers are Noe Lomeli (Sr.), Carlos Gonzalez (Jr.), Urijah Krigbaum (Jr.), Alijah Jackson (So.), Killian Jones (Jr.), Michael King (So.) and Breighdon Swenson (So.).
Jackson and King transferred from Ceres High.
“We have a good mix of guys that have been around and a lot of young guys that are learning,” Rob Beckhart said. “The biggest things for us are staying healthy and keeping our grades up.”
Almazan, Beckhart and Mendez have been named team captains.
“They’ve put in the time,” coach Beckhart said. “They’re always there. They understand what’s needed. They set a good example. The other kids see that.”
Breshears compiled a 1-2 record while competing in the 144-pound weight class at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships as a sophomore.
He took second at both the Divisionals (3-1) and WAC finals (2-1).
Almazan compiled a 1-2 record at Masters, placed fourth at Divisionals (4-2) and finished third at the conference tournament (3-1) at 285 pounds.
Mendez compiled an 0-2 record at Masters, placed third at Divisionals (4-1) and finished fourth at the league finals (3-2) at 132 pounds.
Castillo compiled an 0-2 record at Masters, placed fourth at Divisionals (4-2) and finished third at the league finals (3-1) at 120 pounds.
Vernon compiled an 0-2 record while representing Central Valley at Masters as alternate as a 157-pound grappler.
He placed fifth at Divisionals (3-2) and third at the conference championships (3-1).
Beckhart placed fifth at Divisionals (3-3) and second at the WAC Championships (2-1) at 140 pounds.
Mattox compiled a 2-2 record at Divisionals and finished third at the league finals (3-1) at 128 pounds.
Davalos compiled a 2-2 record at Divisionals and finished third at the league finals (3-1) at 115 pounds.
Alvarado compiled a 0-2 record at Divisionals and finished third at the league finals (3-1) at 192 pounds.
Central Valley qualified five individuals to Masters and 13 grapplers to the Division-IV Tournament this past season.
The Hawks took first at the WAC Tournament.
Central Valley finished third against conference dual-meet competition with a 5-2 mark.
“The wins are nice. But there’s a lot more to the sport than just that. Attitude, effort and character are the three things that I always preach to the guys. They have to remember they’re representing their family, school and sport.”
Central Valley will compete against Ceres High, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Livingston, Pacheco and Lathrop during the 2025-26 WAC campaign.
Grace Davis (7-0) claimed the conference dual-meet title last season, followed by Johansen (6-1), Central Valley (5-2), Beyer (4-3), Ceres High (3-4) Livingston (2-5), Lathrop (1-6) and Pacheco (0-7).
“The WAC is up for anybody that is able to stay healthy and get better after Jan. 1. We have to stay sharp, motivated and compete every week.”
The Hawk-Bulldog crosstown league dual will be staged on Jan. 28 at Ceres High.
“The kids enjoy it. They all know each other. Ceres is a small town.”
Central Valley coasted to a 54-22 victory over Ceres High last winter.
“We’ve gotten the best of them the last few times. But there’s always tomorrow. They have some good things going on over there.”
The WAC Championships will be held on Feb. 7 at Ceres High.
“Wrestling is a sport you usually don’t grasp until you’re a junior. If you don’t put the time in, you’re not going to get better.”
