Ruben Valenzuela put on his Central Valley High School boys wrestling singlet for the final time this past week.

The 184-senior competed at the CIF State Meet on Friday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Valenzuela posted an 0-2 record.

He was striving to become Central Valley’s first state placer.

“He didn’t reach his ultimate goal,” said Coach Rob Beckhart. “He has nothing to be upset about. I want Ruben to realize there were a lot of good things that happened along the way. It’s a commitment to get to the level that he’s at. It just doesn’t happen. I’m proud of him.”

Valenzuela lost to eventual-champion Joseph Martin of Buchanan (pin) in the opening round and Clovis North’s Ross Cinfel (2:30) in the consolation round.

Martin, who is ranked No. 8 in the nation, pinned Valenzuela in 57 seconds.

“Ruben was excited about the match,” Beckhart said. “I don’t think he was nervous. The other kid was at a different level that day. He ended up taking first. He’s committed to Northwestern.”

Valenzuela was leading 4-2 prior to getting pinned by Cinfel in the second period.

“You can’t make mistakes at that level,” Beckhart said. “Everyone is good.”

Valenzuela would have faced a different opponent in the first round at state had he not forfeited his final two matches on his way to a sixth-place at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships the previous week. He was unable to compete due to illness.

“Mentally, he was prepared (for state),” Beckhart said. “Physically, he was okay. He was just outmatched. He wanted to be there. He wrestled tough. He didn’t quit.”

Valenzuela compiled a 32-7 record during his final season with the Hawks.

He qualified for state for the second time, captured his second Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III title and repeated as Central California Conference champion.

Valenzuela also placed first for the third time at the Ceres Invitational.

He brought home a championship belt buckle from the James Riddle Memorial Tournament.

He took second at the Asics Southern California Challenge.

Already considered Central Valley’s all-time greatest male wrestler, Valenzuela added to his resume this winter.

He made program history by becoming the Hawks’ first two-time, state qualifier.

He climbed to as high as No. 6 in the state rankings in December.

He finished with a career record of 110-25.

“Ruben is the face of our program,” Beckhart said. “It’s going to take somebody special to come in and accomplish half of what he’s done. It’s sad to see it end. He was fun to be around. He always wanted to get better. He loved competition. He had a great career. He had over 100 varsity wins.”