Central Valley’s varsity wrestling program wrapped up the Central California Conference dual-meet season last week.

A total of 13 seniors were honored during the Hawks’ final home match against Patterson on Jan. 22, including Brianna Quiroz, Esther Esceverri, Vanesa Contreras, Emily Hill, Ryan Palecek, Moises Galeana, Alex Alvarez, Michael Miller, David Martinez, Ruben Sanchez, Bryant Angulo, Sanvir Dhillon and Joseph Ocanas.

“It’s nice to be able to recognize them,” coach Rob Beckhart said. “These kids mean a lot to all of us. They’re like a second family.”

“It’s sad knowing I’m not going to wrestle for CV much longer,” said Quiroz, a fourth-year grappler. 

Central Valley’s girls wrestling team won by forfeit against Patterson’s shorthanded squad.

The Hawks compiled a near-perfect 5-1 record while finishing second overall during their first season in the CCC.

“Our expectation is to always win league,” Beckhart said. “We’re disappointed we didn’t get that done. We still have an opportunity to get a co-championship if we can win the (CCC) tournament.”

Central Valley collected wins versus Patterson, Golden Valley, Buhach Colony, Merced and El Capitan.

The Hawks lost to first-place Atwater (6-0).

“We were able to fill a lineup,” Beckhart said. “That’s what helped us.”

Central Valley relied on 19 different wrestlers during the CCC dual campaign: Quiroz (150 pounds), Esceverri (143s), Contreras (106s), Hill (111s), Alyssa Chaboya (101s), Kelsy Naranjo (111s), Aryanna Jimenez (116s), Kimberly Garcia (116s), Abigail Garcia (121s),Claudia Gomez (121s),  Isabella Pelayo (126s), Carla Martinez (131s), Nia Caraway (137s), Giuliana Gutierrez (160s), Natalie Torres (170s), Alexis Ramirez (170s), Samantha Espinoza (189s), Angelina Sanchez (235s) and Hannah Duncan (235s).

“All of the girls at one time or another contributed,” Beckhart said.

“We did well considering half of our team is new,” Quiroz said. “We worked hard.”

Central Valley’s boys wrestling team topped Patterson 45-33 to secure a fourth-place finish in the CCC dual standings.

The Hawks amassed a 3-3 record.

“It’s not the season that we wanted to have,” Beckhart said. “But we were competitive.”

Central Valley totaled 30 points on five forfeits.

“We won the dual tonight because we were able to fill our lineup,” Beckhart said. “We knew their lighter weights were going to be tough.”

Central Valley’s Ruben Valenzuela defeated Patterson’s Gabriel Garcia (pin, 1:31) during their 170-pound matchup.

Nic Genasci defeated Eduardo Sotelo (pin, 2:14) at 106 pounds.

Natanael Lezama defeated Aaron Botkin (decision, 4-2) at 220 pounds.

Kyle Hendrix (138s), Ruben Sanchez (160s), Juan Lezama (182s), Ryan Palecek (195s) and Moises Galeana (285s) all collected forfeit victories.

“I’m proud of Nic,” Beckhart said. “That’s his first varsity win. That’s a match we had to win. If we lose that match, the team score is reversed.”

Central Valley’s Michael Miller was beaten by Patterson’s Noah Mirelez (major decision, 8-0) at 145 pounds.

Miller, a transfer from Grace Davis, competed at Patterson his freshman year.

Mirelez was ranked seventh in the state leading up to the dual meet.

Miller was honorable mention.

“We’ve never had anyone on our team that’s gone three rounds with Noah,” Beckhart said. “Michael’s a tough kid. He wanted to wrestle him.”

Alex Alvarez was beaten by Mokbel Obeid (technical fall, 20-5) at 126 pounds.

David Martinez was beaten by Francisco Duran (pin, 3:04) at 152 pounds.

Evan Cooper was beaten by Jesse Cota (pin, 1:51) at 113 pounds.

Juan Melgoza was beaten by Adrian Berrera (pin, 1:44) at 120 pounds.

Elijah Deleon was beaten by Chase Mirelez (pin, 0:57) at 132 pounds.

Central Valley will compete at the CCC Championships this Thursday at Merced High School.