Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s boys wrestling programs both expect to be competitive this season.

“It’s one of the best teams we’ve had in a long time,” said Hawks’ head coach Rob Beckhart. “All we’re trying to do is get better. Growing as a person and wrestler is important to us.”

“As a team, we want to have a winning record in league,” Bulldogs’ leader Adam Borges stated. “I think it’s very attainable. Individually, we have four or five boys that can make it to Masters.”

Central Valley has a roster size of 40 grapplers.

The Hawks’ top returners are Anthony Diaz (Sr.), Angel Melgoza (Sr.), Sal Almazan (Jr.), Caleb Beckhart (Jr.), Jayden Mattox (Jr.), Sean Vernon (Jr.) and Sunny Breshears (So.).

Central Valley’s top newcomers are Zack Esparza (Sr.), Carlos Zepeda (Sr.), Emilio Castillo (Jr.), Rotceh Mendez (Jr.), Isaac Davalos (Fr.) and Breighdon Swenson (Fr.).

“There’s a game plan,” Rob Beckhart said. “The goal is to develop your team and try to win at the same time. We just got to keep working hard and getting better. It’s all practice until the end of the season.”

Melgoza has been named team captain.

He placed second at the Central California Conference Championships, finished fifth at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Tournament and posted a 1-2 record at Masters in the 175-pound weight class as a junior.

“We talk about character, attitude and effort,” coach Beckhart said. “Those are traits he has. This is something he loves to do. He does a great job of being able to stay focused. He doesn’t miss practice. He’s willing to help those around him. He’s one of the kids that’s easily followed. He’s a great asset.”

Almazan took third at the CCC finals and compiled a 1-3 record at Divisionals while competing in the 285-pound weight class as a sophomore.

Caleb Beckhart took fourth at the CCC finals and compiled a 1-3 record at Divisionals as a 126-pound sophomore.

Breshears took fifth at the CCC finals and compiled an 0-2 record at Divisionals as a 144-pound freshman.

Esparza, Zepeda, Castillo and Mendez contributed at the junior-varsity level a year ago.

Ceres High has a roster size of 30 grapplers.

The Bulldogs’ top returners are Calen Adams (Sr.), McCoy Adams (Sr.), Jonas Hayes (Sr.), Abraham Rodriguez (Sr.), Parker Borges (Jr.), Hunter Hammons (Jr.), Oscar Rodriguez (Jr.) and Dakota Pickett (So.).

Ceres High’s top newcomers are Ivan Martinez (Sr.), Jaime Torres (Sr.), Alijah Jackson (Fr.), Michael King (Fr.) and Daniel Tubera (Fr.).

“Any kid that wants to be on varsity, you have to put in a lot of work,” Adam Borges said. “The best 14 get to wrestle. They always have the option to challenge for a starting spot for tournaments.”

Borges, Torres and McCoy Adams have been named team captains.

McCoy Adams placed third at the Western Athletic Conference Championships, finished fourth at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament and compiled an 0-2 record while competing in the 115-pound weight class as a junior.

Borges’ sophomore season was cut short after fracturing an ankle at the Tim Brown Memorial Invitational.

Hayes took fourth at the WAC finals and compiled an 0-2 record at Divisionals as a 146-pound junior.

“Parker, McCoy and Jaime are leaders,” Coach Borges said. “They’re always at practice. The other kids listen to them and respect them. They hold everyone accountable.”

The Hawks and Bulldogs will face different competition during the Western Athletic Conference portion of their schedules.

The WAC features eight teams, including Central Valley, Ceres High, Livingston, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Pacheco and Lathrop.

Central Valley and Livingston relocated from the Central California Conference and Trans Valley League, respectively, to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s realignment plan.

“It’s exciting to have some new blood in our league,” Adam Borges said. 

“The league doesn’t dictate how tough our opponents are,” said Coach Beckhart. “Our goal is to put a team out there that is competitive. It’s a process every week.”

Central Valley compiled a 4-2 record en route to a third-place finish in the 2023-24 CCC dual standings. The Hawks took fourth overall at the conference championships with a team score of 129.

Central Valley had eight grapplers qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Tournament and two for Masters last winter.

Ceres High placed seventh in the 2023-24 WAC dual-meet standings with a 1-7 record. The Bulldogs also took seventh at the conference finals with a team score of 84.

Ceres High sent three grapplers to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Tournament and one to Masters.

“I like the lineup we have,” commented Coach Beckhart . “It’s strong. I think we’ll have a chance to win the league tournament. Ceres has a good program. They’re going to be really tough.”

Central Valley and Ceres High are looking forward to competing in the same league again.

“I like the crosstown rivalry,” coach Borges said. “There’s no animosity. We all get along. We always help each other out. The kids put in more effort because they don’t want to lose.”

“We’ve always had a rivalry,” Rob Beckhart stated. “We kept dueling Ceres High even when we were in the CCC. I know it will be a tough dual. I expect the crowd to be loud.”

“You feel like you’re at a college or major league sporting event,” Adam Borges added. “The crowd gets loud and crazy.”