Youngsters sharp as Chiefs sweep wrestling twinbill

by Neil Pierson<br>Herald Sports Editor
| December 12, 2007 8:00 PM

KENNEWICK - Moses Lake wrestling coach Jamie Wise used Tuesday night's non-league wrestling matches as a test for some of his less experienced grapplers.

That strategy worked wonders as the Chiefs soundly defeated a pair of Columbia Basin League 3A opponents, winning 54-24 over the Kennewick Lions and 44-24 over the host Kamiakin Braves.

"The main thing is it was just a good night for getting experience for young kids who don't normally get in the lineup," Wise said, noting that several junior varsity wrestlers were thrown into the spotlight on Tuesday.

The Chiefs opened the night against Kennewick with four consecutive victories. Tyler Vela pinned his 125-pound opponent 16 seconds before the final horn, Jordan Bishop (130) and Seth Stones (135) won by forfeit, and John Silva pinned his 140-pound foe at 3 minutes, 19 seconds.

The Lions quickly pulled back into contention, winning three straight matches. Parker Byington lost a 7-5 decision at 145 pounds, newcomer Mitch Hill was pinned at 1:53 in his 152-pound match, and Logan Phelps fell 7-1 at 160.

But on a night where youth ruled, Chiefs freshman Brian Chamberlain regained the momentum for his squad, pinning his 171-pound opponent in just 19 seconds. Moses Lake went on to win four of the last six bouts.

Spencer Fackrell (215), Jacob Courtright (103) and Omar Suarez (112) took their matches by forfeit, while 285-pounder Tad Harman pinned his man at 1:33. Alvin Suarez (189) was pinned two seconds before the final horn, and 119-pounder Brian Farias was pinned at 1:49.

Bishop opened the match with Kamiakin by beating his 130-pound foe 4-2. Stones followed with a 16-0 technical fall at 135 and Silva (140) won by forfeit as Moses Lake opened a 14-0 lead.

Byington (145) lost 10-3, but Hill (152) earned a nice comeback victory in overtime, 8-6. Phelps (160) was pinned at 5:44, but Chamberlain responded with a pin of his own at 3:31 to increase the Chiefs' lead to 23-9.

Alvin Suarez lost a 7-2 decision at 189 before Fackrell eked out a 1-0 win at 215. Harman (285) and Courtright (103) were forfeit winners, and Vela (125) earned a 59-second pin. Omar Suarez (112) and Farias (119) both lost by pin.

The Chiefs have a few days off before heading to the prestigious Tri-State Tournament at North Idaho College. Teams from Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana are typically in attendance. Wrestling on Friday and Saturday starts at 10 a.m.