Royal wins dual at Connell
Prep sports recaps
CONNELL - The Royal Knights haven't lost many dual meets in recent years, so coming off a loss to 1A heavyweight Lakeside on Tuesday, Royal figured to be hungry to avenge itself against conference rival Connell.
The Knights ravaged the Eagles in the early-going of their South Central Athletic Conference East Division matchup on Thursday, winning five of the first six matches en route to a 36-27 victory.
Royal's 215-pounder, T.J. Hunt, started the night with a pin of Tito Gonzalez at 1 minute, 45 seconds. Royal's Edgar Montoya followed with a pin of Kevin Barragan at 3:10 for a 12-0 Knights lead.
Connell's Alfredo Herrera (103) took a 16-2 major decision against Hank Ellis, but the Knights won the next three weights to grab a 24-4 lead. All three were by major decision as Hernan Cortez (112) beat Andre Flores 16-2, Pedro Lopez (119) beat Andrew Torres 15-3, and Travis Villegas (125) pounded David Montes 10-0.
The Eagles came storming back by winning the next four bouts. Connell Harris Garcia (130) defeated Kris Rice 11-4. At 135, Jacob Ray took out Royal's Omar Gomez 11-4. Connell's Wes Jenks (140) beat Luke Tonnemaker 12-4, and Andrew Jenks (145) beat Arturo Ortiz 8-3.
Sam Villegas (152) restored Royal's edge with a pin of Omar Montes at 128, and two matches later Mitch Christensen (171) downed Luis Gomez in 29 seconds.
Royal's Aaron Cedillo (160) fell to Omar Velasquez in a 46-second pin, and teammate Jacob Christensen dropped a 5-4 decision to Natale Orozco in the evening's final bout.
The Knights are home on Saturday to host the Royal Rumble Tournament. Action starts at 10 a.m.
Moses Lake 39, Richland 34
RICHLAND - The Chiefs were missing starting 119-pounder David Peralez to an illness and held 285-pounder Tad Harman out because he's nearing his season match limit, but held off the Bombers in a Columbia Basin League dual.
Moses Lake won the first seven weights, building an all-but-insurmountable lead that even five consecutive Richland wins to close the night couldn't overcome.
At 125, Moses Lake's Tyler Vela earned a 15-9 decision over Dustin Utecht. At 130, Gabe Guzman bludgeoned Daniel Dawson 21-4. At 135, Seth Stones knocked off Cody Wyrick 8-4.
John Silva (140) kept the Chiefs' hot streak going by pinning Levi Nelson at 3:44. Cody Hoiness (145) followed with a pin of Marco Nicacio at 1:59. Parker Byington (152) pinned Joey White at 2:52, and Josh Nielsen won by forfeit at 160 pounds. Moses Lake led 34-0 at this point.
Spencer Fackrell (189) got the Chiefs' only win the rest of the way, taking a 12-2 major decision over Nicholas Lee.
At 171, Brian Chamberlain fell to Jeremy Knighten with a pin at 4:32. At 215, Levi Walpole lasted just 40 seconds against Aaron Sevigny before suffering the same fate. D.J. Henderson stepped in at 285 and was pinned by Daniel Montgomery at 1:42. The Chiefs' 103-pounder, Derrick Johnson, lost an 18-4 decision to Tyler Mars.
The Bombers won by forfeit at 112 and 119 to finish the evening.
Moses Lake leaves today for the Marysville Tournament in western Washington, an all-day event that begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Bowling
Moses Lake d. Pasco
PASCO - The Chiefs kept their Central Washington League record perfect at 17-0, but had to fight off some early struggles to beat the Bulldogs.
The first game of the scratch series was particularly hair-raising as Moses Lake eked out a 788-782 win.
"It was very exciting," Chiefs head coach Billy Brice said. "Every ball was a nailbiter."
Trailing in the 10th frame, sophomore Amanda Strzelcyzk delivered a strike to catch Pasco. Virginia Valdez followed with a strike of her own to win it. Michelle Reynolds led the Chiefs with a 192.
In game two, Moses Lake earned an 845-813 decision, with Strzelczyk rolling a high game of 207. Shanice Brice finished at 172, with Valdez at 152, Reynolds at 150 and substitute Nikki Hopskins at 157. Hopskins filled the spot of senior Sandy Smith, who missed the match for personal reasons.
With such a narrow lead, the match was still in doubt heading into the two-game Baker series.
"We were only up by about 40 or so in total pins, so it was very important that we come out and win this Baker game to keep our streak intact," coach Brice said.
Moses Lake did just that, sweeping the series 171-138 and 153-130.
The Chiefs travel to Yakima next Tuesday for their regular-season finale, taking on the Davis Pirates at 3:30 p.m.