Central Valley's and Los Banos' varsity wrestling teams entered Wednesday's dual meet with perfect 3-0 records.
The host Tigers took over sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a dramatic 41-33 victory over the Hawks.
Los Banos won the Central California Conference team title last year.
Central Valley finished in last place in the Valley Oak League a season ago.
"The kids are disappointed," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "They have nothing to be ashamed of, especially if you compare them to past teams. Nobody expected us to beat Los Banos. They've been blowing everybody out. We kept it close. We competed."
Alex Alvarez's first-round pin (1:59) of Bryan Borba in the 119-pound weight class gave Central Valley its first lead of the night (30-27).
Freshman Vincent Martinez increased the Hawks' lead to 33-27 when he won by decision (4-2) against Mabel Flores at 125 pounds.
Los Banos completed the comeback with three straight victories.
Abel Medina lost by major decision (10-2) to Jimmy Felix at 130 pounds.
"With two matches left, we were winning," Beckhart said.
The Hawks fell behind 37-33 after Miguel Espinoza lost by pin (3:28) to James Robledo at 135 pounds.
The 140-pound bout determined the outcome of the dual meet.
Eddy Madriz played the role of hero for the Tigers. He won by major decision (15-2) over Anthony Centeno.
The Hawks would have remained in first place in the WAC standings had Centeno pinned Madriz.
"The added pressure affected him," Beckhart said. "He wasn't aggressive."
Central Valley's Jeffrey Phetsomphou (112s), Jaime Lomeli (152s), Johnny Proctor (189s) and Josh Beckhart (215s) all won their respective matches.
Phetsomphou won by pin (1:51) against Andrew Cintora.
Lomeli won by pin (3:10) against Manuel Silva.
Proctor won by pin (2:00) against Peter Rodriguez.
Beckhart won by pin (0:58) against Daniel Burkhart.
Hawk teammates Michael Manzur (103s), Derek Earnest (145s), Jaime Tadeo (160s), Tony Cordova (160s) and James Jackson (285s) suffered losses.
Manzur lost by decision (12-8) to Riko Quintana.
Earnest lost by pin (3:05) to Jorge Munoz.
Tadeo lost by pin (1:36) to Avi Sangha.
Cordova lost by pin (1:37) to Bryan Durham.
Jackson lost by pin (0:46) to Andres Quintero.
Central Valley and Los Banos battled in front of a large crowd.
"There were a lot of people cheering for both sides," Beckhart said. "It was a great environment. It was pretty electric. I'm proud of all of my kids. Our goal from day one was to go to team sections. We still have a chance to do that."
Central Valley must win its final WAC dual meet at Patterson this Wednesday. The Hawks edged the Tigers 41-33 at Modesto High's Big Kat Classic on Jan. 22.
The host Tigers took over sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a dramatic 41-33 victory over the Hawks.
Los Banos won the Central California Conference team title last year.
Central Valley finished in last place in the Valley Oak League a season ago.
"The kids are disappointed," Hawks head coach Rob Beckhart said. "They have nothing to be ashamed of, especially if you compare them to past teams. Nobody expected us to beat Los Banos. They've been blowing everybody out. We kept it close. We competed."
Alex Alvarez's first-round pin (1:59) of Bryan Borba in the 119-pound weight class gave Central Valley its first lead of the night (30-27).
Freshman Vincent Martinez increased the Hawks' lead to 33-27 when he won by decision (4-2) against Mabel Flores at 125 pounds.
Los Banos completed the comeback with three straight victories.
Abel Medina lost by major decision (10-2) to Jimmy Felix at 130 pounds.
"With two matches left, we were winning," Beckhart said.
The Hawks fell behind 37-33 after Miguel Espinoza lost by pin (3:28) to James Robledo at 135 pounds.
The 140-pound bout determined the outcome of the dual meet.
Eddy Madriz played the role of hero for the Tigers. He won by major decision (15-2) over Anthony Centeno.
The Hawks would have remained in first place in the WAC standings had Centeno pinned Madriz.
"The added pressure affected him," Beckhart said. "He wasn't aggressive."
Central Valley's Jeffrey Phetsomphou (112s), Jaime Lomeli (152s), Johnny Proctor (189s) and Josh Beckhart (215s) all won their respective matches.
Phetsomphou won by pin (1:51) against Andrew Cintora.
Lomeli won by pin (3:10) against Manuel Silva.
Proctor won by pin (2:00) against Peter Rodriguez.
Beckhart won by pin (0:58) against Daniel Burkhart.
Hawk teammates Michael Manzur (103s), Derek Earnest (145s), Jaime Tadeo (160s), Tony Cordova (160s) and James Jackson (285s) suffered losses.
Manzur lost by decision (12-8) to Riko Quintana.
Earnest lost by pin (3:05) to Jorge Munoz.
Tadeo lost by pin (1:36) to Avi Sangha.
Cordova lost by pin (1:37) to Bryan Durham.
Jackson lost by pin (0:46) to Andres Quintero.
Central Valley and Los Banos battled in front of a large crowd.
"There were a lot of people cheering for both sides," Beckhart said. "It was a great environment. It was pretty electric. I'm proud of all of my kids. Our goal from day one was to go to team sections. We still have a chance to do that."
Central Valley must win its final WAC dual meet at Patterson this Wednesday. The Hawks edged the Tigers 41-33 at Modesto High's Big Kat Classic on Jan. 22.
