MOSES LAKE - On the weekend of Jan. 29-30  the 2011 WSWA Folkstyle State Championships took place in Spokane and the Moses Lake Wrestling Club did quite well representing itself.

Eight of 14 wrestlers placed in the top six and the list of top finishers included a champion, a runner-up, one third-place finisher, two fourth-placers, and one fifth and sixth-place result.

The champions were Isiah Medina (Pee Wee, 45 pounds) and the runner-up was Daiman Vasquez (Novice, 120 pounds). 

Finishing third was Hudson Mauseth (Schoolboy, 144 pounds).

Medina is currently posting a 12-0 record. In his final match of the state tournament he was able to capture a title by pinning his opponent in the first round.

"I felt the wrestlers represented our community well and their hard work paid," Moses Lake Wrestling Club coach Jamie Garza said.  "The club is a great feeder program for our middle schools and high school wrestling programs in the Columbia Basin. We have wrestlers who travel from various places to take part in our practices."

The Columbia Basin is known for its prowess in the sport and Moses Lake, Othello, Royal, and Warden high schools head to Tacoma as state contenders at Mat Classic XXIII which begins tomorrow.

Wrestlers are coached by former Moses Lake High School coach Ron Seibel,  two-time state champion Mark Janke, Matt Janke, and Garza, who himself claimed a state title.

"We often have alumni wrestlers who volunteer time to our club," Garza said. "We have had the back of the Moses Lake community and the community has done an excellent job of supporting our club via donation and sponsorships."

Practices take place in the Moses Lake High School wrestling room on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m.

For more information on getting involved in the program contact Joe at 509-750-6878.