By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Successful outings for Hawks in wrestling
Firebaugh tourney 2022
Central Valley’s girls wrestling team finished in third place while competing at the Firebaugh Tournament on Friday.

Central Valley High School’s girls wrestling program brought home hardware from last Friday’s Firebaugh Lady Eagle Invitational.

The Hawks captured eight individual medals and totaled 43 points while finishing third overall at the 10-team tournament. 

Madera South (64) and Justin Garza (46) placed first and second, respectively.

Central Valley finished ahead of Central (39.5), Firebaugh (32), Kerman (14), Coalinga (13), Avenal (9), Caruthers (5) and Clovis West (0).

“I’m definitely satisfied with how the team did,” head coach Brandy Cordova said. “To get a third-place trophy is pretty nice.”

Brianna Espinoza won the 237-pound title.

She compiled a 3-1 record.

Espinoza topped Madera South’s Elizabeth Rojas Ramos (pin) and Janitza Lopez (pin), and Kerman’s Esmeralda Gomez (pin).

She lost to Caruthers’ Emily Sanchez (pin).

“It was pretty exciting to see her take first,” Cordova said. “This is her first year wrestling.”

Soriah Corona placed second at 103 pounds.

She posted a 2-1 record.

Corona topped Central Valley teammates Keilany Torres (pin) and Jayden Corona (pin).

She lost to Central’s Megan Morales (technical fall).

Kylie Maines (113s), Keilany Torres (103s) and Savannah Gomez (172s) all placed third.

Maines posted a 1-2 record.

She topped Central Valley teammate Maya Singh (pin).

Maines lost to Central’s Leah Hickey (pin) and Madera South’s Anahi Sanchez (pin).

Torres posted an 0-2 record.

She lost to Central Valley teammate Soriah Corona (pin) and Centrals Megan Morales (pin).

Gomez posted an 0-2 record.

She lost to Madera South’s Cassandra Quintana (pin) and Firebaugh’s Linda Martinez (pin).

Jayden Corona (103s), Maya Singh (113s) and Marianna Carranza (123s) all finished fourth in their respective weight divisions.

Corona posted an 0-2 record.

She lost to Central’s Megan Moraldes (pin) and Central Valley teammate Soriah Corona (pin).

Singh and Carranza both posted an 0-3 record.

Singh lost to Madera South’s Anahi Sanchez (pin), Central’s Leah Hickey (pin) and Central Valley teammate Kylie Maines (pin).

Carranza lost to Madera South’s Evangelina Mejia (forfeit), Justin Garza’s Angelina Rodriguez (pin) and Avenal’s Alexa Melga (forfeit).

Central Valley was a late addition to the Lady Eagle Invitational.

The Hawks were supposed to compete at the Napa Valley and Sierra Nevada tournaments earlier this season but both events were canceled. 

The Napa Valley Classic was scratched due to COVID-safety concerns.

The Sierra Nevada Classic was called off because of poor weather.

“It’s something we threw on the schedule for other tournaments that got canceled,” Cordova said. “Just the fact we were able to find a tournament to compete in was really special. It’s been crazy not knowing if we’re going to be able to wrestle or not. We’re just trying to get the kids as many matches before the season ends.”

Central Valley will travel to Merced on Thursday to face Central California Conference rivals El Capitan and Golden Valley.

The Hawks will compete at the Tokay Lady Tiger Invitational on Saturday.


BOYS RESULTS

Central Valley’s boys wrestling team dropped to 1-1 in league after losing 45-30 to Buhach Colony on Jan. 6 in Ceres.

The Hawks won five of 14 matches.

“We were supposed to wrestle Merced but they got shut down due to COVID,” coach Rob Beckhart said. “Buhach Colony filled in at the last minute.”

“It could have been a blowout,” he added. “The kids fought hard.”

Ruben Valenzuela won by pin (0:41) against Francisco Vasquez at 184 pounds.

Camden Cai won by pin (0:46) against Abel Murillo at 287 pounds.

Enrique Gonzalez won by pin (0:55) against Linnel Fontes at 128 pounds.

Adan Garcia won by pin (1:44) against Davian Cooker at 134 pounds.

Nick Genasci won by forfeit at 115 pounds.

Elijah DeLeon lost by decision (9-7) to Gabriel Gutierrez at 162 pounds.

Angel Melgoza lost by decision (5-0) to Jose Mata at 147 pounds.

Joey Zuniga lost by decision (15-8) to Andrew Sequeira at 122 pounds.

Austin Melman lost by pin (4:31) to Christian Ramirez at 154 pounds.

Alex Vargas lost by pin (3:38) to Daniel Garcia at 140 pounds.

Anthony Malagon lost by pin (2:14) to Maneto Vazquez at 222 pounds.

David Contreras lost by pin (1:23) to Julius Zaragoza at 108 pounds.

Juan Alonzo lost by pin (1:07) to Rosalio Leal at 172 pounds.