Madeline Schultz enjoyed a productive first season with Ceres High’s girls wrestling program despite being sidelined most of the year with a right-ankle injury.

A newcomer to the sport, Schultz advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships and amassed a 7-9 overall record.

“I’m really proud of her for what she’s done in such little time,” Bulldogs’ head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “She surprised us all. She has the potential to be the school’s first-ever state-placer. The sky’s the limit for her.”

Schultz won one of three matches while competing in the 170-pound weight bracket of the Masters Tournament on Feb. 18 at Stockton Arena.

She beat Laguna Creek’s Maya Brown (decision).

Schultz lost to Rodriguez’s Giselle Menegatti (pin) and Galt’s Valentina Ortega (pin).

“To qualify and win a match at Masters is amazing,” Hulstine said. “She achieved her goal. She was one win away from placing. She did better than I did my first year at Masters.”

“It was good for her to get this experience this early in her wrestling career,” he added. “It’s a big event. It can be overwhelming.”

Schultz claimed a sixth-place medal at the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regional Tournament the previous weekend in Ceres.

She posted a 2-3 record.

Schultz topped Tokay’s Fatima Ortega (pin) and Pacheco’s Briana Orozco (pin).

She lost twice to Gregori’s Natalie Sutherlin (decision, pin) and once to Lincoln’s Isabella Lebed (pin).

She was unable to wrestle the previous month and a half due to injury. She suffered a moderate sprain and bone bruise.

“She dug deep and pushed through it,” Hulstine said. “When she wasn’t wrestling, she wore her walking boot. She’s really tough.”

Schultz’s main sport is softball.

“She fell in love with wrestling,” Hulstine said. “She caught on very quickly. She was eager to learn. She was hungry to compete. As a coach, that was very exciting to see. She has the potential to make school history.”

Schultz also earned the respect of her wrestling teammates by being named captain.

“We let the team vote,” Hulstine said. “She has a very positive attitude. The other girls see her as a leader.”

Hawks enjoy experience

Savannah Gomez, Mia Mendoza and Brianna Espinoza represented Central Valley High School’s girls wrestling program at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships on Feb. 18 at Stockton Arena.

“They had fun and wrestled their best,” Hawks’ head coach Brandy Cordova said. 

Gomez, Mendoza and Espinoza competed at Masters for the first time.

Espinoza, a freshman, posted a 1-2 in the 235-pound weight class.

She won by forfeit in the consolation bracket.

She lost to Colfax’s Amber Guglielmi (pin) and East Nicolaus’ Julia Gomez (pin).

Espinoza placed first at the Central California Conference Championships and fourth at the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regionals.

“She always practiced hard, and took instruction from coaches and put it to use on the mat,” Cordova said. 

“Our goal is for her to get to state,” Cordova said. “With work, she has that potential next year.”

Mendoza, a junior, and Gomez, a senior, compiled identical 0-2 records.

Mendoza lost to Live Oak’s Brooke Logan (pin) and Enochs’ Gianna Tuers (pin) at 160 pounds.

Mendoza placed third at the CCC Finals and eighth at South Regionals.

“She definitely improved throughout the year,” Cordova said. “She became more aggressive on the mat. That’s a trait you have to have as a wrestler.”

Gomez lost to Rio Linda’s Kathryn Hingano (pin) and Lincoln of Stockton’s Isabella Lebed (pin).

She won just one match during her first two seasons.

Gomez placed second at the CCC Championships, third at the Firebaugh Lady Eagle Invitational, fifth at the Mark Fuller Invitational, and seventh at the Brittany David Invitational and South Regionals.

“She’s always been dedicated to the sport,” Cordova said. “The pieces fell into place this year. Everything clicked. She surpassed all of her goals. We’re happy for her.”

Gomez, Mendoza and Espinoza helped Central Valley complete a perfect run against CCC competition in December.

The Hawks finished first at the league tournament and won all six of their conference dual meets.