Moses Lake third at CK Matman Classic

SILVERDALE - After a grueling stretch of wrestling that saw Moses Lake score wins against the top-ranked 4A and 3A schools in the state, head coach Jaime Garza gave part of his team some much-needed down time.

Taking only a 12-man team to the Central Kitsap Matman Classic, the Chiefs took third place behind Lake Stevens and tournament winner Tahoma.

"We had a couple young guys that were injured and chose not to fill them in and let them have a week... Some time to recover, which was the best thing overall," Garza said.

Moses Lake wrestled strong despite not bringing a full lineup and had nine wrestlers finish in the top three in their respective weight classes. Garza felt Moses Lake had a chance to place higher in Silverdale, but knows the ultimate prize is next month.

"There was some matches I wish we could've had back that would've propelled us into that second place," he said. "Now it's time to really step it up next month and this is where we start to peak."

Senior Fernando Leyva took first at 113 pounds after scoring a 5-1 decision in the finals.

"It was a very nice win. It was a convincing win... He looked great, he looked dominant when he was out there wrestling this kid."

Leyva has had a dominant season so far and is currently ranked as the top wrestler in his weight class according to Washington Wrestling Report.

"I think he really to proved to himself and to his others that he's the best guy," Garza said. "He is the best guy at 113 pounds and now it's up to him to maintain that and to believe it and to work for that title."

It was an all-Moses Lake final at 106 pounds as sophomores Cooper McCullough and Jesus Cornejo squared off with McCullough walking away with the win.

Junior Trey Long finished third at 113 pounds while sophomore Hudson Mauseth (160 .lbs) took second.

"Hudson's been wrestling well ever since Tri State," Garza said. "He had a very good tournament there, but he's really stepped it up."

Sophomore Clayton Clark (120 .lbs), junior Nico Hernandez (170 .lbs) and junior Easton Castro (182 .lbs) all placed third. Senior Jordan Lacelle (190 .lbs) took second at the tournament.

The Chiefs face a quick turnaround as the team travels to wrestle defending 2A state champion Othello Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"The reality is it's going to be a great duel," Garza said. "It's going to be great for both communities, it's going to be great for the sport of wrestling and the Columbia Basin."