Central Valley High School and Ceres Pups Wrestling Club grapplers gained valuable experience while competing at Reno Worlds earlier this month.
“It’s one of the largest tournaments in the world,” Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart said. “There were over 3,000 kids there that wrestled. For the kids to see what it takes to be successful at this level is invaluable. Everybody there is trying to get better. There are no easy matches.”
“These experiences are important no matter the outcome,” noted Pups’ assistant coach Josh Swartz. “It gets you ready for large tournaments. The competition level is very high.”
Salvador Almazan, Caleb Beckhart, David Alvarado, Rotceh Mendez and Anthony Diaz represented the Hawks at the tournament, which was staged April 4-7 at the Reno Event Center.
Almazan earned All-American status by finishing in the top eight in the 15-and-under 285-pound weight bracket.
“I haven’t seen Sal wrestle like that before,” said Coach Beckhart. “He kept his mindset correct. He did everything I asked him to do. It was cool to watch. He’s learning and getting better.”
Almazan placed seventh with a 2-3 record.
“Sal earned his spot. “He worked hard. We’re proud of him for that.”
Caleb Beckhart compiled a 1-2 record in the 15-and-under 135-pound weight bracket.
Alvarado compiled a 1-2 record in the 15-and-under 200-pound weight bracket.
Mendez compiled an 0-2 record in the 15-and-under 125-pound weight bracket.
Diaz compiled an 0-2 record in the 15-and-under 157-pound weight bracket.
Mackenzie Gilbert, Zoey Swartz, Lincoln Whittenburg, Tate Jimenez, Aaliyah Kemplin and Joseph Hotel III represented the Pups.
Gilbert earned All-American status after finishing second in the 18-and-under 100-pound weight bracket.
She compiled a 3-0 record.
“She was very offensive this tournament, which was a change,” said Swartz. “She was a machine.”
Zoey Swartz placed second in the 8-and-under 135-pound weight bracket.
She compiled a 2-1 record.
“She’s a defensive wrestler,” said Josh Swartz, Zoe’s coach and father. “She takes her shots at opportune times.”
Whittenburg compiled a 2-2 record in the 6-and-under 49-pound weight bracket.
Jimenez compiled a 2-2 record in the 6-and-under 49-pound weight bracket.
Kemplin compiled an 0-2 record in the 12-and-under 92-pound weight bracket.
Hotel III compiled an 0-2 record in the 8-and-under 61-pound weight bracket.
Mae Hensley Jr. High eighth-grader/former Ceres Pups grappler Eli Swartz earned All-American status after finishing sixth in the 15-and-under 285-pound weight bracket.
He’s currently a member of the Central Catholic Wrestling Club.
Swartz plans to attend Central Catholic High School.
He compiled a 3-3 record.
“This was his first high-school tournament,” father Josh Swartz said. “It was a test. He held his own. He was in position to win all of his matches.
Former Ceres Pups grappler/current Central Catholic Wresting Club member Breighdon Swenson compiled an 0-2 record in the 15-and-under 108-pound weight bracket.
