Chiefs head to Richland with state push in sight

MOSES LAKE — Now it’s their turn.

A dozen Moses Lake High School Chiefs’ wrestlers make their way to Richland High School tomorrow to take part if the Region 4 Championships and most of them hope to make their mark on a program which holds the greatest success in the state.

To do so, many of them will have to rely on their talent and ability to perform on as big a stage as possible since most of these young men have little Mat Classic experience with the exception of junior Brian Chamberlain, who placed in 2008.

The tournament is set to begin at 10 a.m., with semifinals planned for a 11:30 a.m. start, and the championship matches scheduled for a 4 p.m. first whistle.

The regionals consist of the top five Big 9 wrestlers per weight class and the top three from the Greater Spokane League.

“I really think that we should be able to push seven through,” Moses Lake coach Jamie Wise. “I like that they work hard, are coachable, and they try to change things. They’ve made a lot of growth over the year.”

Last week the Chiefs pulled away from Wenatchee to win their third-straight district title behind their depth, with 12 grapplers finishing in the top five, 10 making the semifinals, eight reaching a championship match, and five bringing home top honors.

“Out of the 12 we’d like to push some more through and we may if some can get on fire and wrestle beyond their capabilities,” Wise said. “This year if we take our seven through they should place at state. Our top guys are really tough.”

Moses Lake has five Big 9 top seeds - Beau Gleed (103-pounds), David Peralez (125-pounds), Nico Moreno (140-pounds), Chamberlain (215-pounds), and Kabe Fluaitt (285-pounds) - who all won their district meets last week.

Last week’s district win not only retained Moses Lake’s local supremacy but also continued of a hot run of play for the Chiefs who have won their last four tournaments they’ve entered and that streak could play a big part in their successes Saturday and potentially next week at the Mat Classic in Tacoma.

“The momentum could have a positive effect but right now I don’t see how (we can win it) since if you look at U-High’s top seeds they should win as well,” Wise said. “They also have more of the third-placers but we should match up well with them.”

Moses Lake will not have a wrestler at 130, 145, and 152-pounds.

Wise’s goal is to finish second and hope for some breaks here and there. But Spokane’s U-High enters the fray with four more wrestlers at their stead and tradition of their own to boot.

“They should win it and win it easily if you look at the numbers,” Wise said. “Realistically our goal is to finish second since they are starting with more kids and have a great team.”

MOSES LAKE CHIEFS

Regional Roster: Beau Gleed (freshman, 103-pounds, first match at 10 a.m. vs. Michael Hosfield of Kennewick), Hayden Wise (sophomore, 112-pounds, 10:06 a.m. vs. Tyler Clark of U-High), Andrew Valdez (senior, 119-pounds, 10:12 a.m. vs. Jared Tso of Lewis and Clark), Omar Suarez (junior, 119-pounds, 10:12 a.m. vs. Ely Garza of Southridge), David Peralez (senior, 125-pounds, 10:18 a.m. vs. Dustin Taylor of Walla Walla), Jordan Bishop (senior, 135-pounds, 10:30 a.m. vs. Sam Edminster of Mead), Nico Moreno (sophomore, 140-pounds, 10:36 a.m. vs. Andres Sandoval of Pasco), Ricco Moreno (senior, 140-pounds, 10:36 a.m. vs. Scott Davis of Ferris), Chris Lacelle (senior, 160-pounds, 10:54 a.m. vs. Josh Jesberger of Mead), Logan Phelps (senior, 171-pounds, 11 a.m. vs. Jacob Fry of U-High), Brian Chamberlain (junior, 189-pounds, top-seed, 11:12 a.m. vs. Davin Kerr of Pasco), Kabe Fluaitt (junior, 285-pounds, top-seed, 11:18 a.m. vs. Pat Smith of Wenatchee).