Seibel remember one last time

Memories full of rhetoric and remembrance filled the retirement party for past Moses Lake wrestling coach Ron Seibel.

The Moses Lake Convention Center served as the gathering of former wrestling coaches, teammates and wrestlers to the longest coach at the wrestling program and the winningest of all the coaches to sit as the head of Moses Lake's biggest family.

Even Seibel's first state champion, Mingo DeLeon, showed for the celebration, making the trip from Arizona.

"He always wanted to be the best and if he couldn't be the best, than he wanted to beat the best," DeLeon said.

The nights theme for all nine speakers was split between being a father figure in the Moses Lake wrestling family, to his secret in winning nine state titles, 25 district titles and 26 individual state champions.

"He is our second father figure and I think everyone in our family can say that," former assistant coach Matt Janke said.

"Aside from all the records, he has been a good role model for us," former wrestler Carl Zamora said.

His son Bryan spoke of the staggering accomplishments set by Seibel over the 29 years as head coach of the most successful wrestling program in the state, so much that Scott Jones, who represented coaches outside the program, said Seibel raised the bar across the state.

"I have never met anyone who was as good at what they did as Ron Seibel," former wrestler and assistant coach Randy Fair said.

Seibel finished the night, answering the jests and accomplishments spoken of by his peers, but added that it was time for him to step down. He joked that he and his wife need to find out what a ski lodge is and take up snow skiing.

"I love to coach, if I could have my vacations, I would keep coaching," Seibel said. "You have given me a life I have been blessed by."