Central Valley High School’s girls wrestling program made history en route to continuing its run of recent success this past season.

“This year’s team has the potential to do better,” head coach Brandy Cordova said. “That’s always our expectation.”

The Hawks have a roster size of 30-plus wrestlers.

Practices are held at Central Valley and Hanline School.

“The culture we built for these kids helps them thrive,” Cordova said. “It’s a safe environment. It helps bring more kids in the room.”

The Hawks return 14 wrestlers from last year’s team, including Itzel Romero (Sr., 125 pounds), Jayden Corona (Jr., 110s), Marianna Carranza (Jr., 135s), Brianna Espinoza (Jr., 235s), Tarnjot Kaur (Jr., 120s), Lucero Maciel (Jr., 135s), Samantha Padilla (Jr., 115s/120s), Rylee Randez (Jr., 190s), Keilany Torres (Jr., 110s, 115s), Giana Breshears (So., 145s), Adamariz Espinoza (So., 170s), Alicia Espinoza (So., 170s), Vanessa Mendoza Balbuena (So., 190s) and Evelyn Zambrano (So., 145s).

Central Valley has 20 newcomers:  Lexis Alberto (Sr., 130s), Kalli Hoffman (Sr., 155s), Christina Menera (Sr., 170s), Dasjeet Pattar (Sr., 125s), Emilia Barragan (Jr., 135s), Alexa Cadenas (Jr., 140s), Angelica Hernandez (Jr., 190s), Mariana Nayares (Jr., 135s), Navjeet Pattar (Jr., 115s), Lily Schmidt (Jr., 115s), Arely Camarena (So., 155s), Jocelyn De La Torre (So., 140s), Madelyn Mastropierro (So., 120s), Corena McDaniel (So., 140s), KaDynce Piceno (So., 235s), Karlee Taylor (So., 170s), Kaya Fernandez (Fr., 100s), Janelle Heras (Fr., 105s), Joslyn Vega (Fr., 115s) and Divina Velasquez (Fr., 105s).

“Our kids work hard in the room,” Cordova said. “They want to be successful.”

Brianna Espinoza made program history by becoming just the seventh female grappler from Central Valley to qualify for the CIF State Wrestling Tournament.

She gained valuable experience while dropping a pair of matches in the 235-pound weight bracket.

Espinoza enjoyed her best season to date with the Hawks.

She amassed a 37-11 overall record.

Espinoza won three of four matches en route to a second-place finish at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships.

She compiled an 0-2 record at Masters as a freshman.

Espinoza claimed the 235-pound title at the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regional Tournament.

She won all three of her matches.

Espinoza placed first at the Central California Conference Championships for the second year in a row.

She pinned both of her opponents.

Breshears made program history by becoming just the eighth female Hawk wrestler to advance to the CIF State Meet.

She won one of her three matches in the 143-pound weight bracket.

Breshears bested four of six opponents while placing fourth at the Masters Tournament.

She finished first with a 3-0 record at the South Regional Championships.

She took second (1-1) at the CCC Finals.

Alicia Espinoza placed first at the conference championships (2-0), fourth at South Regionals (2-2) and advanced to Masters (1-2) at 170 pounds.

Corona placed first in league (1-1), seventh at South Regionals (4-2) and advanced to Masters (0-2) at 111 pounds.

Mendoza Balbuena placed first in league (1-0) and 10th at South Regionals (2-2) at 189 pounds.

Kaur placed third in league (4-1) and 10th at South Regionals (2-2) at 121 pounds.

Zambrano placed second in league (0-1) at 153 pounds.

Torres placed second in league (0-1) at 106 pounds.

Padilla placed third in league (0-1) at 116 pounds.

“I expect Brianna, Alicia and Giana to make it to State,” Cordova said. “It is our hope Kayla, Divina, Jayden, Samantha, Itzel, Kalli and Lexi make it to at least Masters. But anything can happen.”

Central Valley placed a program-best third at the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regional Tournament last winter.

The Hawks were ninth at Masters.

Central Valley shared the CCC’s overall championship with Atwater.

The Hawks were guaranteed a share of the title after winning all six of their conference duals for the second straight season.

Central Valley took second at the CCC Tournament.

The Hawks finished seventh at the Sierra Nevada Classic, a 61-team tournament.

Central Valley was third at Ceres High’s First Annual Super Girl Showdown.

The Hawks had 10 grapplers medal at the Clash Before Christmas in Los Banos.

Central Valley sent two wrestlers to State and six to Masters.

“You can’t build a program if kids aren’t willing to take a chance and come into the room,” Cordova said.

Central Valley will face Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced, Golden Valley, El Capitan and Patterson during the CCC season.

The Hawks will relocate to the Western Athletic Conference in 2024-25 as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s realignment.

“This being our last year in the CCC, we want to make sure we go out on top,” Cordova said. “The kids are going to have to put in the work to make sure the team stays successful.”