Moses Lake grapplers impressive at Pacific Northwest Classic

Prep wrestling recaps

SPOKANE - The Moses Lake Chiefs turned in a solid team effort over the weekend at University High School, taking second place in the talent-rich Pacific Northwest Classic.

The Chiefs scored 204 points to finish just behind champion University (227) and edge perennial 1A power Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls (203.5). Moses Lake had 11 wrestlers earn medals by placing in the top six of their respective weight classes.

Moses Lake's two championships came from 140-pounder Cody Hoiness and 285-pounder Tad Harman. Hoiness earned his title with a pin of University's Ryan Zumwalt at 4 minutes, 57 seconds. Harman also won his title by pin, downing East Valley-Spokane's Alaric Parks at 3:50.

Three other Chiefs finished second in their respective classes. David Peralez (119) reached the finals before dropping a 15-0 technical fall to Lakeside's Jacob Lauderdale. Gabe Guzman did likewise at 130 pounds, losing by pin to University's Brian Owen at 2:18. And 160-pounder Josh Nielson was second, losing a tight 3-2 decision to University's Dan Jordan.

Moses Lake's Tyler Vela (125) placed third and Parker Byington (152) took fourth. Four Chiefs were sixth in their classes - 135-pounder Cameron Chlarson, 145-pounder Thomas Pfeiffer, 171-pounder Brian Chamberlain and 189-pounder Spencer Fackrell.

"It was a pretty tough 16-team tournament," Chiefs head coach Jamie Wise said.

Moses Lake returns to Columbia Basin League dual meet action on Tuesday, hosting the Pasco Bulldogs at 7 p.m.

The Othello Huskies also participated in Spokane, scoring 106 points to place seventh.

Othello's medalists included Michael Carmona, third at 285; Jake Smith, fourth at 112; Amanda DeLeon, fourth at 140; Anthony Melo, fifth at 119; Reuben Lopez, fifth at 130; Kevin Smith, fifth at 152; and Nicoh Montemayor, sixth at 125.

The Huskies are back in action on Tuesday with a Central Washington Athletic Conference dual meet at Selah. Start time is 7 p.m.

Schmunk Memorial Invitational

WARDEN - The host Warden Cougars were easy winners on Saturday at the Jeremiah Schmunk Memorial Invitational, compiling 239 points to easily outdistance runner-up Cashmere.

Warden's champions included 112-pounder Frank Jimenez, 152-pounder Arturo Martinez, 215-pounder Joey Massa and 285-pounder Tony Martinez.

The Cougars also had eight runners-up: Carlos Gomez (103), Jonny Guerra (112), Jesse Guerra (125), Robert Pruneda (130), Scott Phillips (160), Jose Gonzalez (171), Isaac DeLeon (189) and Ivan Cuevas (215).

Warden's Lupe Landeros (140) and Dakota Scott (171) were third in their respective weights.

Moses Lake sent a team of junior varsity wrestlers to the event, and the Chiefs placed fourth with 119.5 points. Ricco Moreno was Moses Lake's lone champion, edging Warden's Jesse Guerra for the 125-pound title.

Robert Leyva (119), Mitch Hill (145) and Luciano Hernandez (152) all took third in their respective weights for Moses Lake.

Warden wrestles again on Thursday, a 7 p.m. dual at South Central Athletic Conference East Division rival River View.

Grandview Winter Classic

GRANDVIEW - Quincy had a solid showing at the Grandview Winter Classic on Saturday, placing second with 149.5 points.

The Jackrabbits finished just behind champion Henry Foss, which scored 155 points. CWAC teams took three of the top five spots, with host Grandview third and Prosser fourth.

Quincy had two individual champions - 125-pounder Armando Herrera and 135-pounder Danny Somers. Herrera was an 8-2 winner over West Valley-Yakima's Mark Schlagel in the finals, while Somers defeated Grandview's Eddie Galindo 13-3.

The Jacks had three wrestlers place second. Carlos Magana was the runner-up at 119 pounds, losing his championship match to Mabton's Eric Meza in a 15-4 decision. Max Melburn (215) also lost in the finals, getting pinned in the second period by West Valley's Aaron Kennedy. Manny Ybarra (130) fell 5-2 to Kiona-Benton's Troy Cunningham.

Quincy's Colby Melburn was third at 152 pounds, defeating Kiona-Benton's Devon Hudspeth 9-2 in his final match.

The Jacks host CWAC rival Ephrata on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Castle Rock Invitational

CASTLE ROCK - The Royal Knights continued their outstanding season with a second-place finish at the Castle Rock Invitational on Saturday.

Royal scored 205 points to finish behind champion Castle Rock (262). The tournament featured several southwestern Washington teams and two from Oregon.

The Knights earned three individual titles as 145-pounder Sam Villegas, 152-pounder Angel Ledezma and 189-pounder Hector Ledezma dominated their divisions. Villegas took first after pinning Kalama's Joe Fistolera. Angel Ledezma ended his run with a 12-3 decision over Castle Rock's Curtis Johnson, and Hector Ledezma took out Luke Dixon of Forks in the finals, 7-4.

At 112, Royal's Ethan Tonnemaker placed second after losing by pin to Castle Rock's Parker Williamson. Mitch Christensen was second at 171, losing by pin to Jesse Oblack of Clatskanie, Ore.

Omar Avelar (135), Luke Tonnemaker (140), Jacob Christensen (189) and T.J. Hunt (215) placed third in their respective weights. Travis Villegas (125), Lucas Warren (215) and Edgar Montoya (285) all finished fourth.

The Knights return home on Tuesday for a titanic non-league clash with Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls, a 7 p.m. start.

Cheney Invitational

CHENEY - Ephrata compiled 123.5 points to finish sixth at the 16-team Cheney Invitational on Saturday.

Ryan Cross was the Tigers' only champion, winning the 145-pound crown with a 7-3 victory over a Clarkston opponent. Brenton Beard also reached the finals in the 119-pound division before falling to Deer Park's Levi Zadorozny 8-4.

Anthony Bush was third at 112, defeating an Ellensburg wrestler 9-0. Brandon Butcher (125) followed suit, placing third with a 7-1 win over Pullman's Brad Church. Kurt Nygard (130) also place third, beating a Pullman foe 5-0.

Ellensburg won the tournament with 241 points, followed by Deer Park, North Central, Selah and Clarkston.

Ephrata returns to CWAC dual meet action on Tuesday, traveling to Quincy at 7 p.m.

Warden 64, Newport 15

WARDEN - On Friday, the Cougars were easy winners over the visiting Grizzlies in a non-league dual.

Warden's Carlos Gomez (103) earned a first-period pin over Newport's Kyle Lawrence. Frank Jimenez took just 16 seconds to pin his 112-pound foe, Corbin Chitwood. Jesse Guerra (125) was a 15-2 major decision winner over Nick Caroll.

At 135, Chris Kalous took out Stephen Ellison with a third-period pin. At 140, Landeros pinned Jake Lindell in the first period. Kevin Tursio (145) pinned Dylan Ellison in the third period.

Spencer Graham (160) pinned Lance Brace midway through the second period and Ivan Cuevas (215) buried Max Thew with a first-period pin.

The Cougars also won four matches via forfeits.

Royal 51, River View 20

ROYAL CITY - The Knights' first SCAC home dual of the season ended with a relatively easy win over the visiting Panthers last Thursday.

Royal's Omar Avelar opened the evening at 135 pounds with a 20-2 technical fall over Matt Seal. Luke Tonnemaker (140) widened the lead to 10-0 with an 18-3 techical fall of Colton Watt. After Roman Trujillo lost at 145 pounds, the Knights proceeded to win the next eight bouts.

Sam Villegas moved up to 152 at pinned Ernie Gaskill at 1 minute, 30 seconds. Mitch Christensen (171) pinned D.J. Naylor in 20 seconds, Hector Ledezma (189) downed Jacob Mercado at 1:03 and T.J. Hunt (215) disposed of Anthony Mendez at 1:32.

Ethan Tonnemaker (112) was Royal's third technical fall winner, beating Sam Beckwith 15-0.

Ellensburg 43, Quincy 27

ELLENSBURG - Also on Thursday, the Jackrabbits wound up on the short end for the first time in CWAC duals, falling to the undefeated Bulldogs.

Ellensburg took an early 9-0 lead before Quincy's Manny Ybarra put his team on the board with a 4-1 defeat of Tait Tucker at 130 pounds. Danny Somers pulled the Jacks within a point by getting a 17-1 technical fall over Zac Hansberry at 135, but Quincy got no closer.

The Jacks' other victories included Colby Melburn (152), a winner by pin in the third period against Keane Simpson; Breck Webley (160), a 17-6 major decision winner over Ben Simpson; Max Melburn (215), a 4-2 decision over Devin McCrary; and Johnny Navarro (103), a winner by forfeit.