By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
WAC dominance
Central Valley extends its unbeaten streak
adrianbadillo.tiff
Central Valleys Adrian Badillo won by first-round pin against El Capitans Kevin Fernandez during their 184-pound match on Wednesday in Ceres. The Hawks won the WAC dual, 60-22. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

There was no dabbing following the Central Valley High School varsity wrestling team's 60-22 triumph over visiting El Capitan on Wednesday in Ceres.

The first-place Hawks extended their unbeaten streak in Western Athletic Conference dual-meet competition to 18 matches.

"It feels good to go undefeated as a team again," Central Valley fourth-year grappler Jose Castillo said. "But our real goal is to take first at team sections. We just need to stay focused."

For the third year in a row, the Hawks compiled a perfect 6-0 record against WAC opponents.

Central Valley also improved to 11-1 on the year and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Team Duals for the third straight season.

"I'm happy for the kids," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "They work hard. At the end of the day, they're seeing results."

Down 22-18 in team scoring versus El Capitan, Central Valley won nine of 10 matches to secure a comfortable victory.

"We got it done as a team," Jose said.

Castillo won by pin (3:53) over Isaac Goodman at 147 pounds.

Alex Alvarado won by pin (1:02) over Ethan Meza at 162 pounds.

Gabriel Martinez won by pin (1:24) over Kyle Lee at 197 pounds.

Adrian Badillo won by pin (1:42) over Kevin Fernandez at 184 pounds.

Luis Saucedo won by pin (2:56) over Alexander Caudillo at 128 pounds.

Will Sprouse won by pin (3:53) over Evan Myrtue at 134 pounds.

Severo Vazquez won by forfeit at 154 pounds.

Andrew Marquez won by forfeit at 172 pounds.

Jason Beckhart won by forfeit at 222 pounds.

Angel Gonzales lost by major decision (13-3) to Nathan Gonzales at 140 pounds.

David Lezama's forfeit win at 285 pounds gave the Hawks a 6-0 lead.

El Capitan won the next three matches.

Trent Craig lost by pin (3:22) to Josiah Araujo at 108 pounds.

Wilbur Arellano lost by pin (4:13) to Devin Holman at 115 pounds.

Brandon Senseney lost by pin (2:53) to Jaime Araujo at 122 pounds.

"I was a little concerned," Castillo said. "They're a good team. We got to keep practicing harder."

"Just because we haven't lost in league, it doesn't mean we're unbeatable," Rob Beckhart said. "We're getting everybody's best effort. People want to beat us. We have to work extra hard."

Central Valley hasn't lost a WAC dual meet in three years.

"We don't worry about keeping the streak alive," Castillo said. "We just go out there and try to win every single dual match we can. Our coach always tells us to don't underestimate anybody."

"The kids are focused on winning the section championship," coach Beckhart said. "They've been runners-up the last two years in a row."