Moses Lake 7-2 after Day 1 of Pasco camp

PASCO — “Summer camps make winter champs,” or so the saying goes.

Moses Lake wrestling has had a busy summer so far, with its latest competition at the annual Pasco Redneck Camp. The Chiefs finished 7-2 on the first day with wins over Camas, Ephrata, Mary Walker, Eisenhower, Kamiakin, Deer Park and Selah.

Moses Lake dropped close duals to the Highland All-Stars and Tahoma.

“As a whole, I was really pleased,” head coach Jaime Garza said. “We have several guys with just one loss.”

Hunter Cruz, Nick Hara and Beau Mauseth notched 8-1 records on the first day, Cruz, entering his junior year, was recently named “Camp Champ” at the Kaizen Intensive Camp in Cusick. More, Moses Lake had five wrestlers make the all-star team in Cusick: Cruz, Hara, BJ Mullin, Daiman Vasquez, and Caleb Lawson.

In Pasco, Moses Lake routed Camas 59-6 and Ephrata 54-3. The Chiefs dispatched Mary Walker 53-21, league rival Eisenhower 47-25, Kamiakin 63-19 and Deer Park 45-33.

Highland and Tahoma were able to edge Moses Lake 35-27 and 40-34, respectively.

“I still felt like we wrestled well,” Garza said. “The matches that we needed to win we won.”

Selah forfeited its dual with Moses Lake.

Chandler Fluaitt ended the day undefeated. Garza also highlighted the performance of Mauseth.

“I’m just hoping this is kind of this breakout moment for him (Mauseth),” Garza said.