Central Valley’s girls wrestling team had reason to be excited following the conclusion of the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regional Tournament this past weekend in Ceres.

The host Hawks will be sending a program-record seven grapplers to the Masters Championships.

Giana Breshears, Alicia Espinoza, Brianna Espinoza, Tarnjot Kaur, Jayden Corona, Arely Camarena and Angela Alvarado, and Ceres High’s Dayanna Alvarez, Elizabeth Boyd, Mezmeriah Zuniga and Abigail Schultz earned individual berths to Masters after finishing in the top eight in their respective weight brackets at South Regionals. 

Bulldog Abrianna Bautista was named an alternate for Masters.

“We’re happy for all of the girls that made it,” Central Valley head coach Brandy Cordova said. “It’s very exciting. It shows the program is moving forward.”

The Hawks and Bulldogs finished fifth and 10th, respectively, in the team standings at South Regionals.

Central Valley and Ceres High totaled 139.5 and 79 points.

Pitman (207.5), Escalon (182), Golden Valley (179) and Livingston (164) placed first, second, third and fourth, respectively.

The Feb. 14-15 tournament featured 31 teams.

“Having only eight wrestlers, taking top 10 is awesome,” Ceres High head coach Curtis Hulstine said. “I’m very proud of the girls.”

“We did a really good job in placing,” Cordova added. “We were hoping for top five or higher.”

Breshears took first at South Regionals for the second time in three years. She won the 130-pound title this season. She compiled a 3-0 record. She beat Johansen’s Brendy Puckett (pin, 2:54) in the finals, Buhach Colony’s McKenna Hill (pin, 5:32) in the semifinals and Gregori’s Samantha Martinez (major decision, 12-3) in the quarterfinals.

Breshears evened her season record to 2-2 versus Puckett. Puckett won the previous two meetings.

“Giana worked hard to make sure she beat her at Regionals,” Cordova said. “She was focused.”

Alicia Espinoza took second at 190 pounds. She compiled a 2-1 record. She beat Escalon’s Aislinn Ingles (pin, 1:03) in the semifinals and Livingston’s Aaliyah Renfrowd (pin, 0:33) in the quarterfinals.

“Alicia did exceptionally well,” Cordova said. “She’s a very technical wrestler.”

Brianna Espinoza took second at 235 pounds. She compiled a 2-1 record. She beat Buhach Colony’s Angie Rojo (pin, 1:41) in the semifinals and Turlock’s Leah Marshall (pin, 0:33) in the quarterfinals.

“Bri does well in every tournament,” Cordova said. “She’s the only girl from Central Valley that’s made it to Masters all four years. She’s definitely exceeded our expectations. She’s just excelled.”

Kaur took fourth at 120 pounds. She compiled a 3-2 record. Kaur topped Linden’s Sofia Goins in the consolation semifinals (pin, 3:47) and second round (pin, 1:33). She bested Atwater’s Yulissa Vargas (decision, 3-0) in the quarterfinals. Kaur missed qualifying for Masters by just one match as a junior and sophomore.

“I’m excited for TJ,” said Cordova. “She was finally able to get there before she graduated.”

Corona qualified for Masters for the second time in three years. She took fifth at 110 pounds this season. Corona compiled a 4-2 record. She collected wins against Golden Valley’s Evangelina Galindo (technical fall, 17-0), Ripon’s Trinity Diaz (pin, 1:31), Merced’s Chloe Lee (pin, 1:50) and Enochs’ Kiley Vang (pin, 1:27).

“Jayden was in a tough bracket,” Cordova said. “She did a great job.”

Camarena took sixth at 155 pounds. She compiled a 3-3 record. Camarena collected wins against Pacheco’s Dakota Butler (3:27), Los Banos’ Sara Almanza (pin, 3:29) and Calaveras’ Vanessa Lee (decision, 13-12).

“Arely was very nervous day one,” Cordova said. “Day two, she knew she had to win her first match. She did what she needed to do to advance.”

Alvarado took sixth at 170 pounds. She compiled a 2-3 record. Alvarado collected wins against El Capitan’s Audrina Moreno (pin, 4:13) and Buhach Colony’s Deshay Cash (pin, 1:30).

“For Angie being a first-year wrestler and making it to Masters, we’re very excited for her,” Cordova said. “She’s been wrestling up a weight class.”

Alvarez took second in the 145-pound weight division. She compiled a 3-1 record. Alvarez beat Golden Valley’s Sienna Moua (sudden victory, 5-2) in the semifinals, Pitman’s Shyla Volk-Wood (pin, 3:46) in the quarterfinals and Central Valley’s Vanesa Mendoza Balbuena (pin, 0:49) in the second round.

“Making the finals at the fourth seed is an accomplishment,” Hulstine said. “Dayanna had a great couple days. She wrestled very well.”

Boyd took fourth at 170 pounds. She compiled a 3-2 record. Boyd beat Central Valley’s Angela Alvarado (pin, 1:20), Downey’s Zoey Ridenour (pin, 5:04) and Lathrop’s Aniya Gonzalez (pin, 1:10).

“Elizabeth did what she was supposed to do,” Hulstine said.

Zuniga took sixth at 135 pounds. She compiled a 3-3 record. Zuniga beat Beyer’s Ayla Hernandez-Chavez (pin, 3:29), Los Banos’ Angeline Tovar (pin, 2:46) and Enochs’ Makayla Campos (pin, 2:45).

“Being a Masters qualifier as a freshman is amazing,” Hulstine said. “She’s only going to get better.”

Schultz took eighth at 130 pounds. She compiled a 2-3 record. Schultz beat Modesto High’s Elena Sessler (pin, 0:27) and Golden Valley’s Kaylee Miranda (pin, 3:04).

“Abigail was in a tough weight class,” Hulstine said. “She did what she needed to do to qualify for Masters. She listens. She’s so aggressive. Her and Mezmeriah have continued to get better every day.”

Bautista took ninth at 115 pounds. She compiled a 3-2 record. Bautista beat Modesto High’s Praise Ingraham (pin, 4:22), Atwater’s Lilianna Manzo (forfeit) and Central Valley’s Lucero Maciel (pin, 1:34).

She missed most of the season with an injury. Bautista competed in just two tournaments.

“She wrestled great,” Hulstine said.

Central Valley and Ceres High will travel to Stockton Arena this Friday and Saturday to compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships.