Central Valley High School's wrestling program had a full roster at the beginning of the year.
The Hawks experienced a steady drop in participation as the regular season progressed. Just 15 of the team's original 50 members have attended practice on a regular basis in recent weeks. Six girls refused to quit, including Rose Moore, Toby Gotskind, Vivian Peral, Alexiss Cervera, Idalia Mercado and Stephanie Zarate.
"I got to give these girls credit for sticking it out the whole year," head coach Bobby Posadas said. "That's says a lot. At first, it (having six girls on the team) was kind of odd. I don't really think about it anymore. They put in their time just like all the boys do."
"They're here more often than most of the guys," assistant coach Joe Stewart said. "They're dedicated. It's not easy."
Moore, a freshman, posted a combined record of 1-13 while competing at the varsity and junior-varsity levels in the 103-pound weight division.
"A lot times, she's in close matches," Posadas said. "It's rare to see her get blown out by a guy. She's very competitive. She's really hard to pin because she's so flexible."
Rose's lone win came during Central Valley's 45-28 victory over Manteca in a VOL varsity dual meet. Moore pinned Charlie Alvitre in the first round (1:50).
"That's a pretty big milestone," Posadas said.
Moore took up wrestling in the eighth grade at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School.
"My uncles and cousins encouraged me to do it," said Rose, who also enjoys volleyball, softball and karate. "They were really good. It was tough at first, but as soon as I improved my conditioning, it got easier."
Toby competed at the JV level for most of the season. The sophomore won four of her 12 matches at 103 pounds.
"It's nice representing the school," she said. "I feel proud."
Gotskind placed third with a 3-1 mark at the East Union novice tournament. She recorded three pins. Toby collected her fourth victory via pin fall against Lathrop.
"I never thought I'd win a match," she said. "I expect to lose because I'm a girl."
Gotskind wrestled for one season at Blaker-Kinser and did freestyle for two years.
"I have an older brother that did wrestling," she said. "He got me into it. It just interests me. Once you're in there, everybody is the same. It's mental. You have to push yourself."
Peral finished in fourth place with a 1-2 record at Pitman's Rumble in the Jungle JV tournament. The 135-pound sophomore beat another girl by decision. Vivian dropped five of six matches on the year.
Cervera, a 125-pound JV grappler, went 0-7 during her sophomore campaign.
Mercado lost all five of her matches while wrestling at the JV level. The 112-pound senior went 0-2 at both the Pitman and East Union events. She was also defeated during the Central Valley-East Union dual competition.
Moore, Gotskind and Co. plan to attend a girls tournament during the upcoming offseason. They'll continue to compete for the Hawks in 2009-10.
"I'm going to try for all four years," Rose said. "It's so much fun. It's a full-contact sport. I like the adrenaline."
The Hawks experienced a steady drop in participation as the regular season progressed. Just 15 of the team's original 50 members have attended practice on a regular basis in recent weeks. Six girls refused to quit, including Rose Moore, Toby Gotskind, Vivian Peral, Alexiss Cervera, Idalia Mercado and Stephanie Zarate.
"I got to give these girls credit for sticking it out the whole year," head coach Bobby Posadas said. "That's says a lot. At first, it (having six girls on the team) was kind of odd. I don't really think about it anymore. They put in their time just like all the boys do."
"They're here more often than most of the guys," assistant coach Joe Stewart said. "They're dedicated. It's not easy."
Moore, a freshman, posted a combined record of 1-13 while competing at the varsity and junior-varsity levels in the 103-pound weight division.
"A lot times, she's in close matches," Posadas said. "It's rare to see her get blown out by a guy. She's very competitive. She's really hard to pin because she's so flexible."
Rose's lone win came during Central Valley's 45-28 victory over Manteca in a VOL varsity dual meet. Moore pinned Charlie Alvitre in the first round (1:50).
"That's a pretty big milestone," Posadas said.
Moore took up wrestling in the eighth grade at Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School.
"My uncles and cousins encouraged me to do it," said Rose, who also enjoys volleyball, softball and karate. "They were really good. It was tough at first, but as soon as I improved my conditioning, it got easier."
Toby competed at the JV level for most of the season. The sophomore won four of her 12 matches at 103 pounds.
"It's nice representing the school," she said. "I feel proud."
Gotskind placed third with a 3-1 mark at the East Union novice tournament. She recorded three pins. Toby collected her fourth victory via pin fall against Lathrop.
"I never thought I'd win a match," she said. "I expect to lose because I'm a girl."
Gotskind wrestled for one season at Blaker-Kinser and did freestyle for two years.
"I have an older brother that did wrestling," she said. "He got me into it. It just interests me. Once you're in there, everybody is the same. It's mental. You have to push yourself."
Peral finished in fourth place with a 1-2 record at Pitman's Rumble in the Jungle JV tournament. The 135-pound sophomore beat another girl by decision. Vivian dropped five of six matches on the year.
Cervera, a 125-pound JV grappler, went 0-7 during her sophomore campaign.
Mercado lost all five of her matches while wrestling at the JV level. The 112-pound senior went 0-2 at both the Pitman and East Union events. She was also defeated during the Central Valley-East Union dual competition.
Moore, Gotskind and Co. plan to attend a girls tournament during the upcoming offseason. They'll continue to compete for the Hawks in 2009-10.
"I'm going to try for all four years," Rose said. "It's so much fun. It's a full-contact sport. I like the adrenaline."
