Mavs fall to Sunnyside in regular season finale

MOSES LAKE — Sunnyside captured momentum early in Tuesday’s dual meet between the Grizzlies and Mavericks, as Sunnyside led 40-6 before eventually winning the dual 44-30 over Moses Lake. 

“We got a lot of film that saw of situations that we were put in that we can work on, that when we hit districts time, it’s all been cleaned up,” Moses Lake head coach David Peralez said. “Overall, it was a fun night, we had a good show. I’m glad we had two programs that had a full lineup for the girls.” 

Sunnyside won the first two bouts with pins, at 110 and 115 pounds, before Moses Lake junior Hayden Morris cut into the lead with a first-round pin, bringing the score to 12-6 in favor of the Grizzlies. 

“The first few seconds I was just wanting to control the match,” Morris said. “I was just waiting; as soon as she reached, that’s when I shot. I was just baiting, waiting for her to reach so I could get that first takedown.” 

The Grizzlies then won the next five matches, four of which came via fall, to go up 40-6 in the dual. 

“Credit to them - they came out hot, they came out ready,” Peralez said. “I think we need to do a really good job, especially for postseason, to start off faster, start off harder and really get a good warm-up to where we’re in our second wind before the matches even start.” 

The Mavericks got back on the scoreboard with a 5-2 decision for sophomore Emma Thompson, who won the match in overtime after scoring on an escape late in the third period to tie the match at two. Thompson won the match with a takedown in the first overtime period. 

“It was a great battle, and I think a testament to how hard she works in the room, that every time there’s a second on the clock, she’s willing to work through a move that she’s in. There’s really no stoppage with her,” Peralez said. “We practice that situation very often, about hitting overtime and how we’re going to wrestle that, so I’m glad that she was able to get that rep before postseason.” 

Moses Lake also picked up wins at 170 pounds, a 4-3 decision for junior Naomi Cruz, and 190 pounds, a first-round pin for freshman Izzabella Fredley. Sunnyside won the dual 44-30 after forfeiting at 235 and 105 pounds. 

Tuesday’s dual was the final match of the regular season; Sunnyside won the Big 9 with an undefeated record in league matches. Davis finished second and Moses Lake finished third in the standings. 

Moses Lake travels to Eastmont on Saturday for the Big 9 district tournament. 

“We’re not changing anything, there is no secret formula,” Peralez said of moving into the postseason. “We’re just going to go back and focus on the fundamentals. Really, it’s just a mindset.” 

Wrestling at the district tournament begins at 11 a.m. The top four wrestlers in each class will advance to the 4A Girls Mat Classic in Tacoma later this month. 

“It's going to be a fun battle on Saturday when we all see each other again,” Peralez said

    Moses Lake senior Hillary Dogbe, right, was one of four Maverick seniors honored during the team’s senior night ahead of the dual against Sunnyside.
  

    Moses Lake sophomore Emma Thompson, background, works to flip her opponent on her back. Thompson won her match 5-2 in overtime.
  

    Moses Lake junior Naomi Cruz, right, won in a 4-3 decision of the 170-pound bout at Tuesday’s dual against Sunnyside.