Wrestling club looks to extend tradition

MOSES LAKE - The Columbia Basin has a rich tradition of wrestling success. No one may appreciate this more than former Moses Lake High School wrestling coach Ron Seibel.

In his 28 years coaching wrestling at Moses Lake High School, Seibel led the Chiefs to nine state championships and seven second-place finishes.

Now Seibel and former Moses Lake wrestling standout Jaime Garza are looking to build on that tradition as they aim to help all wrestlers in the Columbia Basin.

Seibel and Garza are running an after school wrestling program at Moses Lake High School and all Columbia Basin wrestlers are invited.

"All we are trying to do is improve wrestling throughout the Columbia Basin," Garza said. "We are just trying to up the quality of wrestling. We are inviting those from all over the Columbia Basin."

Seibel said the key to maintaining the Columbia Basin's wrestling success begins with preparation.

"Right now we are working on positioning," Seibel said. "We are just doing the basics right now. We are just in the start of this. Our hope later on is to teach to the individual's strength."

The purpose of the wrestling program is to develop quality wrestlers, Garza said.

"Our ultimate goal as coaches is to hope the kids can win a state title," he said. "Wrestling does a lot for individuals as far as mental toughness and for things outside of wrestling."

While Garza and Seibel have had success at the high school level, their program is open to the youth of the Columbia Basin as well.

"We are out there to help with the individual titles," Seibel said. "(We are here for the kids) from Ephrata, Quincy and Othello. If they want to try and improve their wrestling we are abiding that opportunity for them."

Seibel said having the best wrestlers in the Columbia Basin attend the practices will help improve wrestling throughout the area.

Garza worked with Columbia Basin wrestlers last year and he saw how it improved the quality of wrestling in the area, Seibel said.

"We saw how it helped the other individuals," he said. "If we can get that working again it is only going to improve you."

High school coaches are not allowed to work with wrestlers during the offseason.

Seibel said this program provides wrestlers an opportunity to improve outside of wrestling season.

"If someone would really like to succeed, we give them that opportunity to," he said.

Seibel said he spent the last few years helping at Royal High School and appreciates the opportunity to help future wrestlers.

"I love it," he said. "I might not have the body to wrestle anymore, but I still have the mind."

Seibel and Garza are dedicated to working with wrestlers throughout the Columbia Basin and hope to see local wrestlers succeed, Seibel said.

"It's great to be back in the room," he said. "I would just like to see every individual succeed."