Moses Lake wrestling groups to host fundraising golf tournament

MOSES LAKE — A golf tournament helping raise money for the Moses Lake Wrestling Club and Moses Lake High School’s boys and girls programs returns next month, fundraising to assist with travel costs and gear for its wrestlers. 

The 12th Annual Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament will be held at the Moses Lake Golf Club on Oct. 12. 

“I’ve been in Moses Lake for almost 10 years now, and it’s been one of our biggest fundraisers,” said Jose Tanguma, head coach of the MLHS boys wrestling team. “This fundraiser will help us out throughout the season.” 

Participants in the golf tournament have the option to support one of the three groups, Tanguma said. 

“We’ve been doing it like this for the last two years now, and it’s been really helping out,” he said. “We all get the same amount of sponsors and players that want to support each team.” 

Funds from the tournament help cover a variety of costs that come up during the wrestling season, from travel, hotel stays for wrestlers at tournaments, meals for wrestlers and equipment. 

Those who wrestle year-round and attend national tournaments can have costs covered by the Moses Lake Wrestling Club. 

“It helps out with everything,” Tanguma said.  

Moses Lake girls wrestling head coach David Peralez said past tournaments have helped cover the cost of equipment the MLHS Associated Student Body and the school didn’t cover; however, there is more stress put on costs with the Moses Lake School District’s failed educational programs and operations levy in April. Now, more of that financial responsibility falls on the booster club, Peralez added. 

“This year it’s going to be super important to get as many sponsorships as possible for our programs, especially at the high school, so that way we can cover hotel costs, transition costs — really, just about everything is going to be on our boosters,” he said. 

In the past, the tournament has averaged about 22-26 teams in attendance, bringing in anywhere from $30,000-$40,000 in funds raised. The tournament also serves as a reunion of sorts for Moses Lake wrestlers of the past. 

“It’s a great time for high school alumni to come back together,” Peralez said. “Seeing the wrestlers from the ’80s, the ’90s, the late 2000s — seeing some neighboring wrestlers as well. It’s all community members of the wrestling program, and people that support wrestling in general.” 

The shotgun-style tournament begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Moses Lake Golf Club, with registration beginning at 8:30 that same day. Teams or sponsors can register for the tournament online at https://bit.ly/4g7Vs5Z.  

In addition to the tournament, various side games and activities will be present: a competition for the longest putt, a spin-the-wheel game where participants must hit the ball with something other than a golf club and a silent auction. 

“It’s a bunch of fun stuff, it makes the day more interesting,” Tanguma said. 

    Moses Lake junior Reese Prescott wrestles at the Mat Classic in Tacoma in February.
  

    Members of the Moses Lake Wrestling Club pose for a photo. The MLWC helps cover costs for year-round wrestlers who travel to national tournaments, and next month’s Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament helps to fund the MLWC.