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Hawks finish in fifth place at 50th Ceres Invitational
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Central Valleys Gabriel Martinez (green singlet) won three of five matches en route to a fourth-place showing in the 182-pound division at the Ceres High tournament this past weekend. - photo by Courier file photo

Central Valley High School's varsity wrestling team had a respectable showing in front of its home fans this past week.

The Hawks racked up 84.50 points while finishing in fifth place at the 50th Annual Ceres Invitational on Saturday at Ceres High.

Buhach Colony (237.50), Pitman (185) and host Ceres High (148) placed first, second and third, respectively.

Central Valley had nine individuals compete at the 20-team tournament.

Ryan Hendrix, Adrian Badillo, Jason Beckhart and Gabriel Martinez took home medals by virtue of their top-six finishes.

"I'm pretty happy with how the kids did," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "I didn't expect us to do this well. We just need to get healthy."

Hendrix posted a 3-1 record on his way to a runner-up finish in the 132-pound division.

Ryan won by pin over Deer Valley's Aexel Melendez (2:28) and Liberty Ranch's Aristeo Flores (1:58), and decision over Liberty Ranch's Christian Darchuck (11-8).

He lost by pin to Sierra's Branden Rullan (0:46) in the finals.

"Ryan's an awkward wrestler," coach Beckhart said. "He's dangerous in every position."

Badillo (195 pounds, 3-1 record) and Beckhart (215s, 3-1) both took third.

Badillo won by forfeit over Summerville's Nathaniel Ulvevadet, and by decision over Johansen's Alonzo Cadenaz (3-2) and Pitman's Gurcham Dhaliwal (3-2).

Adrian lost by decision (7-2) to eventual-champion Tyree Williams of Ceres High.

"He did well considering he was wrestling up a weight class," Rob Beckhart said. "He doesn't qualify for 182s because of the hydration test."

Beckhart won by forfeit over Livingston's Rene Garcia, and by pin over Argonaut's Aaron Braswell (3:40) and Ceres High's Conner Johnson (7:15).

He lost by decision (3-2) to Buhach Colony's Steven Inocencio.

"He's come a long way since the first time he wrestled in the seventh grade," Rob Beckhart said. "I can't say enough about how hard he works. He always wrestles tough. He's never out of a match."

Martinez (182s, 3-2) managed to take fourth despite being slowed by a shoulder injury.

He won by pin (0:55) over Ceres High's Diego Diaz (0:55) and Delhi's Braulio Gamino (1:24), and major decision over Beyer's Max O. (16-3).

Gabriel lost by decision to Buhach Colony's Victor Cruz (6-5) and major decision to Buhach Colony's Juan Rosales (14-4).

"It doesn't surprise me," coach Beckhart said. "He has incredible flexibility. He's super athletic. He's strong."

Central Valley's Will Sprouse (138s, 2-2) Severo Vazquez (152s, 2-2), Andrew Marquez (170s, 1-2), Brandon Senseney (126s, 1-2) and Wilbur Arellano (120s, 0-2) also competed at the Ceres High tournament.