Sophomores Alicia Espinoza and Giana Breshears both enjoyed their best seasons to date with Central Valley High School’s girls wrestling program this winter.

Breshears qualified for the CIF State Meet for the second year in a row, while Espinoza made her first-ever appearance on that stage.

“I’m very happy with how they did,” Hawks’ head coach Brandy Cordova said.

Winless at state as a freshman, Breshears compiled a 1-2 record while competing in the 140-pound weight bracket this season.

“I knew what I was doing,” she said. “I didn’t panic. I knew my moves. I was more comfortable with the setting. Last year, I was scared.”

“She definitely did show improvement,” Cordova stated. “She performed a little better. The girls that she wrestled were at the same caliber. It’s about implementing technique.”

“Next year, I’ll do better,” Breshears added. “My expectation is to place.”

Breshears opened the tournament with a 9-6 win over Sylmar’s Daniela Lopez in the Round of 32 on Feb. 22 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.

“I had tough matches after that,” she said. 

Breshears lost to third-seeded Luana Stathopoulos of Redwood (pin, 1:58) and Del Oro’s Kate Luzriaga (pin, 4:00) on Feb. 23.

“To get to state, it’s hard,” Breshears said. “To be a good wrestler at state, it’s even harder. I felt I deserved to be on the podium. My performance didn’t show that. I’m really going to try to be more focused on wrestling during the offseason and season. I’m not going to be lazy. I’m going to work as hard as I can. I’m going to train every day, starting today. I’m going to run and lift weights. I need to improve on my strength training and conditioning.”

Breshears amassed a 38-14 overall record this year.

She finished fifth at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament, second at South Regionals and first at the Central California Conference Championships.

“Last year, I relied on strength,” Breshears said. “My performance was way better this year because I improved my skills. I had more confidence. I actually looked like a wrestler. I’m happy about that.”

Espinoza compiled a 1-2 record in the 170-pound weight bracket while competing at state for the first time.

“Surprisingly, I didn’t feel nervous,” she said. “It just felt like another tournament.”

“She was comfortable on that stage because she had already been to a state-like tournament in Corona and had been successful,” Cordova said. “There were 64 girls in her bracket. She battled her way to eighth place. If she makes it to state next year, she’ll know she can do better.”

Espinoza lost by first-round pin (0:58) to top-seeded Leilani Lemus of Clovis in the Round of 32 on Feb. 22.

“I wasn’t really nervous. I just wrestled. Her technique was amazing. She shot on me.”

Espinoza won one of two matches on Feb. 23.

She topped Brawley’s Madison Vandiver (pin, 1:23).

She lost to Redondo Union’s Kinsey Konrad (pin, 0:14).

“I wish I could have done better,” said Espinoza. “I know I will next year. Now, I know what to improve on. I want to have better control of my matches. The greatest wrestlers have the most patience.”

Espinoza believes she would have had a better showing at state if she didn’t draw the top seed in the opening round.

“The outcome would have been different,” she said. “I would have been closer to placing.”

“Unfortunately, she’s pulled tough draws at tournaments this year,” Cordova added.

Espinoza had a 40-15 overall record this winter.

She placed fourth at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament, third at South Regionals and first at the CCC Finals.

“I’m okay with how the season played out,” Espinoza said. “At the same time, I’m not completely satisfied. I wanted to end the season with a win. Overall, I think I did pretty good. I definitely did grow. My coaches have told me I’ve advanced a lot. I’m more confident when I wrestle now. My technique has gotten way better because of trying to perfect it.”

“It’s not the easiest sport,” she added. “It’s definitely hard. It’s tiring but I really love it. The outcome all depends on you. Your toughness pushes you through.”

Just sophomores, Breshears and Espinoza have already established themselves as two of Central Valley’s all-time greatest female wrestlers.

“As a freshman, we saw raw talent in Giana,” Cordova said. “We weren’t expecting her to make state. We are confident by her senior year she’ll be at the top of the podium.”

“I just want to be the best wrestler I can possibly be,” Espinoza stated. “I don’t compare myself to anyone. I don’t think about my ranking. I’m not finished. I still have two more years.”

“If she (Espinoza) continues doing the work and getting better, she’ll be one of the top three wrestlers at Central Valley,” Cordova added.