Young Lind-Ritzville team looks to place wrestlers on the podium

RITZVILLE — Lind-Ritzville head coach Jason Hilzer said he’s optimistic that the Broncos can get some wrestlers on the Mat Classic 2026 podium in what has been a year of growth.

“We’re young. The increase in the skill level from the beginning of the year to the end of the year is huge for the freshmen and sophomores,” Hilzer said. “That’s what I’m really pleased about.” 

The Broncos are sending seven boys and one girl to the state tournament.  

Lind-Ritzville started the season with three seniors and three juniors, but injuries and other things cut it to one senior and two juniors by the district tournament last weekend. Hilzer said his team has responded to the challenge of learning what they need to do, citing Gabriel Mungia, wrestling at 175 pounds.  

“Gabriel Mungia finished second – he's only a sophomore. His dad is one of my assistant coaches. He wrestles pretty tough,” Hilzer said.  

Marcial Davis, 285 pounds, also finished second in the district tournament. 

“He beat a couple of guys that have beaten him before,” Hilzer said. “I think both of those two are going to have a good shot at making it to the podium.” 

Senior Waylon Rosman, 113 pounds, also qualified for state after a tough season. 

“He’s been injured a lot this year, so we’ll see. That’s why his record is not very good right now, because he’s been injured,” Hilzer said. “He’s kind of a sleeper kid.” 

Rosman also has a chance to place in the top eight, he said. Autumn Cresse qualified for the Lind-Ritzville girls. 

Mat Classic will be a good experience for his team, whether the wrestlers place or not, Hilzer said. 

“It’s like an eye opener to see how big it is, and the feel of it,” Hilzer said. “We've had kids that went there as juniors and went two-and-out, because of the pressure and everything else, come back the next year and (place). I think they’ve just got to get that feeling and understand and know what it's like to be in that big of an arena and figure out how to wrestle with all those people there.” 

Hilzer said he’s optimistic for the next season, with the current freshmen and sophomores gaining a year of experience. 

“We’ve got some eighth graders that will be freshmen next year that are going to be pretty good,” he said. 

Mat Classic starts Friday afternoon for Class 1B/2B wrestlers, with matches continuing Saturday. 

    Gabriel Mungia, left, sparring with an opponent he faced in the Banks Lake Brawl earlier this season. Mungia will compete in the 175-lb class in the Mat Classic.
  

    Autumn Cresse, left, spars with her opponent in the Banks Lake Brawl earlier this season. Cresse is the only girl competing for the Broncos this year in the Mat Classic.