Moses Lake set for HOF Duals

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake wrestling's season didn't end when the team knocked off No. 1 ranked Lake Stevens last Friday, 36-29.

It was an enormous win - ending Lake Stevens' over two decade home winning streak - for a program that has been starving for success, but head coach Jaime Garza knows the ultimate prize will be decided in February.

"They were excited, they were pleased, but they're not fully satisfied," Garza said. "It was nice to go out there and beat the best team, but we know that ultimately what happens in February... that's what we want, to beat every team at the end of February."

While some programs took the weekend after Christmas off, Moses Lake not only decided to wrestle, but scheduled the defending 4A state champions.

Garza thought the dual against the Vikings was beneficial to keeping the team in shape and maintaining the techniques his staff has been teaching the team throughout the season.

"There was a focus that on the 27th we knew we had something to take care of," Garza said. "Having a meet like that does help out though it can be hard, it can be taxing sometimes. On the other hand, in the whole big scheme of things it was good for us to have that dual."

It also slightly helped morale that the team was able to beat the Vikings

The Christmas vacation can either allow a team to refocus and go even harder as the push toward regionals and state intesifies or a team can become complacent and fall behind.

Garza knows where his team stands.

"As a coaching staff it's inpiring them, motivating them, letting them know that by willing yourself to come in here it's making you better because the reality is there's some teams not doing this and we know that the best teams are but not all teams are therefore it's important that you guys are here," he said.

The Chiefs will now set their sights on the Moses Lake Hall of Fame Duals. The dual tournament began Saturday at 10:30 a.m., featuring Central Valley, Mead, Puyallup, Rogers (Puyallup) and Tahoma.

Although it's not the No. 1 ranked team and defending state champion, Moses Lake is eager to show why the team is a contender for a state championship.

"There's still been quite a but of intensity in our room," Garza said. "The kids are excited to get out and wrestle again."

Moses Lake is familiar with Central Valley and Mead as the team has seen both schools three times this season. The westside schools are more of an unknown. Garza did say Puyallup and Rogers (Puyallup) have tough heavyweights, but he expects his team to handle the visiting schools.

"We have a great dual team and this is a dual tournament and my expectation is we come out ahead and we win all four duals, but we'll see what happens."