Giana Breshears made program history by becoming the first female wrestler from Central Valley High School to qualify for the CIF State Meet for the fourth time this past week.
Hawk senior teammate Alicia Espinoza added to her already-impressive resume by earning her third berth to state.
Espinoza and Breshears both extended their prep grappling careers by finishing in the top five in their respective weight classes at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament, staged Feb. 20-21 at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton.
“We knew going into Masters the two of them should do really well and get back to Bakersfield,” Central Valley head coach Brandy Cordova said. “We’ve taken those two to some of the toughest tournaments. We’ve been preparing them for this moment.”
“It feels good to break a record,” Breshears stated. “I’m proud of myself. To get there (to state) four times is not easy. You sacrifice a lot. You don’t see family and friends. All you do is wrestle. It’s challenging but you don’t give up.”
“Qualifying for state a third time was a mixture of excitement and nervousness,” Espinoza added.
Espinoza accomplished a first in team history by winning a Masters title. She claimed the 235-pound championship.
“Winning Masters was a goal I’ve had since freshman year when I first came to the tournament,” Espinoza said. “I was really happy to have completed that goal. I honestly couldn’t have done it without the support of coaches and teammates who pushed me to be better consistently. And my family who supports me and takes care of me in this big journey.”
Espinoza compiled a 4-0 record at Masters.
She turned in dominant performances against Granite Bay’s Victoria Millan (pin, 1:23), McClatchy’s Natalie Quan (pin, 0:46), Lincoln’s Grace Tripp (pin, 0:29) and Manteca’s Liliana Rios (pin, 1:22).
“Wrestling isn’t easy,” Cordova said. “But Alicia made it look easy.”
Espinoza improved her overall record to 47-5.
“She’s been wrestling at her best this whole season,” Cordova said.
Breshears finished fourth in the 135-pound weight bracket at Masters.
“This year, we’ve seen some of her best wrestling,” Cordova said. “She’s been steady all season long.”
Breshears compiled a 3-2 record in Stockton.
She collected wins against Lodi’s Emily Peters (pin, 2:17), Oakmont’s Elisa Glenn (decision, 10-3) and Escalon’s Yesenia Marsellis (pin, 3:24).
“Honestly, I’m a little disappointed,” Breshears said. “I wish I could have performed better.”
Breshears improved her overall record to 49-12.
“Each year, she has worked to improve her skillset,” Cordova said.
Espinoza and Breshears were both determined to get back to state.
They wrestled with purpose and refused to be denied.
“It (the thought of having their careers end at Masters) was in the back of their minds,” Cordova said. “But they know how to face it (pressure). They have that mental toughness.”
Ceres High’s Elizabeth “Izzy” Boyd, Abigail Schultz, Mezmeriah Zuniga, Dayanna Alvarez and Avril Gaona, and Central Valley’s Micaela Maldonado and Vanesa Mendoza Balbuena also competed at Masters.
“Overall, the girls know they fell short of their ultimate goals of qualifying for state,” Bulldogs’ head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “But they should be proud of themselves. They represented their school on a major stage.”
Boyd made program history by becoming the first female wrestler from Ceres High to medal twice at Masters.
She finished seventh at 235 pounds this year.
She compiled a 3-2 record.
Boyd collected wins against Placer’s Mattie Browning (pin, 1:48), Granite Bay’s Victoria Millan (decision, 3-0) and McClatchy’s Natalie Quan (pin, 1:15).
“I am unbelievably proud of Izzy,” Hulstine said. “She is a great athlete and it’s been a pleasure to coach her these last four years.”
Schultz compiled a 3-2 record at 130 pounds.
She collected wins against Lincoln’s Madeline Blackthorne (decision, 4-2), Golden Valley’s Kaylee Miranda (pin, 2:29) and Gregori’s Samantha Martinez (decision, 10-7).
She was winless at Masters this past season.
“Abbie blew by her performance from last year,” Hulstine said. “She came out swinging with a big win in the first round over a tough opponent. But she fell short in the blood rounds.”
Zuniga compiled a 2-2 record at 135 pounds.
She collected forfeit wins against Vanden and Livingston.
“Mezmeriah competed in one of the toughest weight classes in our section,” Hulstine said. “
Alvarez compiled a 1-2 record at 120 pounds.
She collected a win against Monterey Trail’s Caelyn De Vera (decision, 10-3).
“Dayanna has battled through so many injuries this year,” Hulstine said. “Her grit is undeniable.”
Gaona compiled a 1-2 record at 100 pounds.
She collected a win against West Park’s McKenzie Brais (pin, 1:00).
“Avril is only a freshman,” Hulstine said. “She outperformed my expectations by far. I’m so proud of her and excited for her future.”
Maldonado compiled a 1-2 record at 190 pounds.
She collected a win against Patterson’s Camila Guerrero-Ruiz (pin, 3:58).
“She did really well given her experience level and getting over the fear,” Cordova said.
A newcomer to wrestling, Maldonado won 17 matches this season.
She placed third at South Regionals and second at the Western Athletic Conference Championships.
“Micaela has steadily improved all season,” Cordova said. “She took every match as experience.”
Mendoza Balbuena, a senior, compiled an 0-2 record at 145 pounds.
“There were some tough girls in her bracket,” Cordova said.
Mendoza Balbuena won 11 matches this year.
She placed eighth at South Regionals and second at WAC tournament.
“Vanesa’s one of our more dedicated and tougher athletes,” Cordova said.
A third-year wrestler, Mendoza Balbuena was sidelined sophomore year with an ankle injury sustained during the flag football season.
“She had a tough junior year because of her ankle,” Cordova said. “She didn’t let it stop her. This year, she wrestled tough.”
