Mass pins on Chiefs wrestlers' senior night
Taking a moment to enjoy the Senior Night festivities, the Moses Lake Chiefs got back to business and wrapped up an impressive dual sweep of Davis and Eisenhower.
MOSES LAKE - Two Yakima wrestling teams traveled to Moses Lake High School to take on the host Chiefs wrestling team last night,
In a mix of news good and bad, the Chiefs rolled to a 69-10 win over Davis and a 59-9 rout of Eisenhower on Senior Night, in less time than it took both guests to travel to and from the southwest.
Good? A win is a win and a dominant one is always welcome.
However, with the Big 9 District Tournament looming next weekend at MLHS, the Chiefs could always benefit from a stern challenge right before the postseason comes forth.
"What I am really happy about is that the kids are wrestling more consistently and in good position," Chiefs head coach Jamie Wise. "They are toughening up and getting better at the right time. Even though it was a blow out team wise there were some good individual battles. You can't change anything so you have to be happy with what you have."
Over the course of the two dual matches, Moses Lake (17-3) recorded 11 pins out of the 19 that took place.
"That translates into a lot of bonus point especially with the post season and in the tournaments," Wise said. "It also sets a mental tone where the other guy is sent a message, 'yeah, this guy pinned me last time.' The less time it also helps to get off the mat to also avoid getting hurt and to save some energy. But the mental part is the most important to me."
Against Eisenhower, Hayden Wise (119-pounds), Brad Fox (130-pounds), Herson Rodriguez (140-pounds) and Brian Chamberlain (215-pounds) recorded second period pins.
The highlight of the evening came at 285-pounds when the Chiefs' Kabe Fluaitt pinned his Eisenhower opponent in eight seconds.
According to Fluaitt after the match, the quick pin was in fact not the fastest of his career. He stated he had recorded a six second pin previously during his tenure as a Chief.
Decision victories were earned by Fernando Leyva (103-pounds, 9-1), Nathan Martinez (145-pounds, 7-3), Nico Moreno (152-pounds, 12-3), Jonathan Peralez (160-pounds, 6-1), and Derek Frederickson (189-pounds, 7-2).
The Chiefs also earned forfeit wins at 125 and 135-pounds.
In their dual against Davis, the Chiefs earned 30 points via five forfeits - 103, 135, 171, 189, and 215 pounds.
From there they won another six via pin and a minor decision.
Moreno, at 152-pounds, took on Austin Wagner, grandson of John Wagner, long-time football, wrestling and track coach at Moses Lake High School, and the two top performances went the distance before the Chief held on for a tough 4-0 win.
"Austin's a tough kid and obviously Nico is too," Jamie Wise said. "I was happy with how Nico wrestled smart. You can see the determination in him right now. He's got a more determined attitude than ever before and working extremely hard."
Pins were recorded by Beau Gleed (119-pounds), Omar Suarez (125-pounds), Fox, Rodriguez, Martinez, and Fluaitt.
"We just have to keep hopefully one or two more kids find a way to pop through and go through at districts," Jamie Wise said. "I want to take as many on as we can and don't want anyone to be left back. We got to have to polish up some technical things and hopefully everyone can give us another hard week."