Moses Lake finishes second at Tri-State Tournament

COEUR D'ALENE - Head coach Jaime Garza would've loved for Moses Lake to win the Tri-State Tournament for the first time in 20 years, but he will settle with being the best squad from Washington.

Moses Lake advanced two wrestlers to the finals and finished second to Post Falls at the annual tournament in Coeur D'Alene, ID.

"It's a tough tournament to win," Garza said. "We took 15 guys and had eight place in the top seven."

Chase Clasen and Cooper McCullough advanced to the finals, but were unable to take first place.

McCullough's second place finish sets him up for a rare chance next year as a senior.

"Cooper may be one of the few guys in Moses Lake who has the opportunity to place all four years at this tournament," Garza said.

Jesus Cornejo and Trey Long finished sixth and fifth, respectively.

Freshman Hunter Cruz, who has had a strong start to his high school career, took fourth place at Tri-State.

"He just wrestled lights out," Garza said. "He showed a lot of passion for the sport."

After not placing a season ago, Hudson Mauseth finished fourth.

"Really proud of Hudson," Garza said. "It shows the growth he's made."

Dylan Morris took sixth and Justin Sainsbury took seventh.

Garza has been especially impressed with Sainsbury during the early stages of this season.

"He improves every time he steps on the mat," Garza said.

Defending state champion Lake Stevens finished fifth behind Post Falls, Moses Lake, University and Tahoma.

The Chiefs will host the Vikings in a dual Dec. 30, something coaches and wrestlers alike are looking forward to.

"The excitement, the hype is going to be there," Garza said. "We want this dual in Moses Lake."