Central Valley High School’s track and field program has experienced a spike in its numbers for the third year in a row.

The Hawks have a roster size of 140, up from 114 a season ago.

Approximately 50 student-athletes suited up for Central Valley in 2023.

“We got a lot of kids coming from other sports,” Hawks’ head coach Michael Mrgudic said. “They realize the importance of track and field in terms of developing athleticism.”

“Our team culture is very good,” he added. “We work hard but have fun. We make it an enjoyable atmosphere.”

The Hawks’ top returners are Xavier Banta (Sr.), Antonio Burgos (Sr.), Alexis Landa (Sr.), Jackson Stokes (Sr.), David Alvarado (Jr.), Frankie Klino (Jr.), Daniel Leon (Jr.), Ernesto Martinez (Jr.), Damian Olivares (Jr.), Elijah Plasencia (Jr.), Enoc Reyes (So.), Adam Victorino (So.), Tarnjot Kaur (Sr.), Eliana Tamayo (Sr.), Aaliyah Jauregui (Jr.), Angela Alvarado (So.), Sophia Alvarez (So.), Aaralyn Jauregui (So.), Lilyanna Madrigal (So.), Andrea Tejeda (So.) and Kassandra Torres (So.).

Central Valley’s top newcomers are Massimo Catalano (Jr.), Julian Contreras (So.), Killian Jones (So.), Joshua Mendoza Rguez (So.), Ivan Quezada (So.), Allen Sanchez (So.), Jayden Pires (Fr.), Diego Quintanilla (Fr.), Cristina Carmona (Sr.), Brianna Espinoza (Sr.), Payton Meta McConnell (Jr.), Ayleen Apreza (Fr.), Karen Magallon (Fr.) and Mia Muniz (Fr.).

Banta, Burgos, Martinez and Tamayo are team leaders.

“They encourage others,” Mrgudic said. 

Aaralyn Jauregui finished fourth in the 400 and 12th in the 200 at the 2024 Central California Conference Championships.

Aaliyah Jauregui finished fifth in the high jump.

Kaur finished seventh in the high jump, 14th in the 400 and 18th in the 800.

Tamayo finished ninth in the 100 and 11th in the 200.

Stokes finished fifth in the pole vault at the CCC finals last year.

Martinez finished sixth in the 400 and 17th in the 200.

Burgos finished 13th in the 400 and 19th in the 200

Banta finished 21st in the 400 and 30th in the 100

The Hawks will compete in the Western Athletic Conference beginning this school year.

Central Valley moved from the CCC to the WAC as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league realignment plan.

“I’m glad we’re in the WAC,” Mrgudic said. “We’re competing against schools that are physically closer. It’s more meaningful. The competition is at a level where we’re more likely to succeed. That will help us grow our program.”

Central Valley will challenge Ceres High, Livingston, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Lathrop and Pacheco.

Central Valley and Livingston relocated from the Central California Conference and Trans Valley League, respectively.

Former WAC schools Los Banos and Mountain House joined the CCC and VOL.

“It’s really cool we’re in the same league now,” Mrgudic said while talking about the Central Valley-Ceres High crosstown rivalry. “It’s a lot of fun. We’re all representing the same town and want to be the best. Ceres High has a strong team right. It’s motivation for us.”

Ceres Unified School District will break ground on Central Valley’s football stadium project this summer.

Improvements will include installing artificial field turf and an all-weather track.

“It’s going to be huge for our program,” Mrgudic said while talking about the benefits of competing at a state-of-the-art facility. “There’s nothing like it. It’s going to give us a mental edge. The kids will feel like they’re a part of an elite program.”