For the first time in school history, Central Valley High School has a two-time state placer in girls wrestling.
Senior Brianna Espinoza accomplished the feat after finishing in eighth place at the 2025 CIF State Championships, staged Feb. 27-March 1 at Bakersfield’s Mechanics Bank Arena.
“She’s the first Central Valley wrestler to place at state twice,” Hawks’ head coach Brandy Cordova said. “She did the work to get herself there. Watching her continue to develop and become a better wrestler each season was great to see.”
“I’m thankful that I was able to place at state again and even more thankful for the community I had around me,” Espinoza stated. “My coaches, teammates, friends, and family are also a part of this accomplishment because they helped me reach this goal.”
Espinoza posted a 4-3 record in the 235-pound weight bracket.
She collected wins against Firebaugh’s Miranda Rodriguez (pin, 3:06), Rio Mesa’s Alison Cortes (pin, 2:54), Hiram Johnson’s Nancy Hernandez (pin, 1:16) and Justin Garza’s Noe Sedano (pin, 1:31).
Espinoza lost to Corona’s Jasmin Taulanga (pin, 1:32), Downey’s Katherine Luna (decision, 3-0) and Lakewood’s Ashley Wafer (decision, 4-1).
“We were glad she was able to get back on the podium,” Cordova said. “This was our last tournament with her. She’s irreplaceable. Whoever comes into the heavyweight position has some large shoes to fill.”
“Last year, I lost in the semifinals,” Espinoza said. “This year, I lost my second match. I had to wrestle multiple matches to get on the podium again. I feel that the pressure was there because this was it. This was going to be my last season.”
Espinoza stands alone as Central Valley’s all-time greatest wrestler, female or male.
She ranks ahead of Nayeli Pelayo, Giana Breshears, Brianna Quiroz, Malynda Lomeli, Rose Moore, Alicia Espinoza, Lexy (Cordova) Zuniga and Carla Martinez, Michael Miller, Ruben Valenzuela, David Lezama, Luis Saucedo and Adrian Vizcaino.
Pelayo made history by becoming the Hawks’ first-ever state medalist in 2018.
“Brianna would never call herself the best even though her record shows it,” Brandy Cordova said. “She is a very humble person.”
“I really have no thoughts on that title because I don’t believe in it,” Espinoza said. “I believe I did well as a wrestler in my time, but I stand next to the other multiple greatest wrestlers ... I don’t want to be remembered as the best but one of the best from this program. Our coaches helped us grow. Our little room is full of outstanding wrestlers, girls and boys.”
Espinoza amassed a 47-13 overall record senior year. She advanced to state for the third year in a row.
She finished second at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament.
She claimed her third consecutive South Regional title.
She won her fourth straight league championship, including first in the Western Athletic Conference. She was a three-time Central California Conference champion.
Espinoza also accomplished a first in program history collecting 100 career wins.
She had a game plan heading into her final season at Central Valley.
“We weren’t chasing medals,” coach Cordova said. “We were chasing competition. You get better by wrestling better competition.”
“I did shock myself each year,” Espinoza added.
Espinoza took sixth with a 3-3 mark at state as a junior.
She was winless at the event sophomore year.
Espinoza’s first season with the Hawks ended at Masters.
“Initially, I was not going to wrestle. I had never done the sport and only had watched my older sister Sammy wrestle. She’s a huge reason why I decided to do the sport.”
“After seeing her wrestle her freshman year, she met and exceeded expectations,” Brandy Cordova said. “It was no longer a surprise. She had a goal in mind because her older sister (Sammy) wasn’t able to get to state because of the COVID pandemic.”
Added Espinoza: “I’m forever grateful I made the decision to wrestle when I did because it truly created memories for me in high school as well as helped me grow as a person.”
