TACOMA — The Moses Lake High School boys wrestlers won most of their matches in the opening round of the Mat Classic tournament in Tacoma. Getting into second-round matches though, several wrestlers lost their bouts and went into the consolation bracket.  

As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the boys were in 12th place with 40 points in the Boys 4A tournament. However, several matches continued past press time. The Columbia Basin Herald will have an updated story in the Monday paper.  

“Our first round, we went seven and eight, and we got a couple pins in that round,” Moses Lake boys wrestling head coach Jose Tanguma said. “The guys, they're feeling comfortable here and that’s hard to do because there is a lot of pressure at this tournament.”  

Freshman Jose Villafana, in the 106-pound category, led the team Thursday with eight team points. In the first round, Villafana pinned Gavin Aquino of Puyallup in 3:17. He followed this with another win against Abraham Morales-Toro from Graham-Kapowsin, finishing the bout in just 1:19.  

"The Mat Classic wrestling is going good," Villafana said. “I won both by pinning, which is always a victory.”  

Junior Ian Garza, in the 113-pound class, won both of his first two matches. He scored a total of 7.5 points for Moses Lake. In his first round, Garza pinned Dresden Taylor from Eastlake in 1:33 and recorded a technical fall over Crew Williamson of Curtis with a score of 17-1 in 5:10.

"So far, two wins… I am just keeping smart like I did in there," Garza said after his match with Taylor.  

Senior Cruz Hernandez at 120 pounds managed to secure one victory after a major decision win against Adam Bailey from Graham-Kapowsin in the first round. Hernandez lost to Samuel Valencia from Sunnyside by fall in 2:34 in the second round. He returned for a consolation bout and won against Tiernen Rimmasch from Pasco with a 29-18 score. In total he scored his team four points.  

Despite his loss in his second round, Hernandez said "this is my first time at state, so it feels pretty good." 

In the 138-pound division, senior Drayden Gaither earned a victory via technical fall over Braden Mills of Kamiakin before falling to Xavier Salinas of Richland by major decision in his second match. He scored a total of 3.5 team points.  

Sophomore Trenton Vasquez said he had a successful day in the 144-pound category, winning both of his matches. He defeated Andrew Kuhn from Rogers (Puyallup) with a score of 10-3 in the first round and followed up with a 7-5 decision win over Callan Childs from Glacier Peak. He scored a total of four points.  

"I feel great… I'm feeling good about my bracket," Vasquez said.  

Sophomore Conner Brosnahan at 157 pounds lost his first match by fall to Ian Standifer of Spanaway Lake at 4:24 but bounced back in the consolation bracket, winning against Kaylen Brown from Skyline by fall in 2:06. Brosnahan scored three team points.  

“I was tired, but after that first match, I kind of had what I had to do, and I just got done,” Brosnahan said. “I definitely picked it up in my second match and the coaches really helped me.” 

Senior Malaki Town in 190 pounds began strong with a fall victory over Grayson Haukaas of Kentridge in 3:11 but succumbed to Kannon Freschette from Camas by fall in the second round in just 57 seconds. He scored a total of four team points.  

Similarly, sophomore Eli Anderson at 215 pounds had a solid first round, obtaining a pin over Byron Anton from Stadium in 3:48. He was defeated by Mason Rodriguez of Emerald Ridge by major decision in the following round. Anderson scored four team points.  

“That first round built a confidence level, so I know that the second rounds are going to come out firing and that will hopefully continue throughout the days,” Tanguma said. 

    Cruz Hernandez, in the 120 pound weight class, secured a victory after a major decision win against Adam Bailey from Graham-Kapowsin in the first round.
  

    Freshman Jose Villafana in the 106 weight class led the team Thursday with eight team points. He won his second match against Abraham Morales-Toro from Graham-Kapowsin.
  

    Sophomore Conner Brosnahan at 157 pounds won against Kaylen Brown from Skyline in his second match by pin.
  

    Sophomore Trenton Vasquez in the 144-pound category, defeated Andrew Kuhn from Rogers (Puyallup) with a score of 10-3 in his first match.
  

    Senior Cruz Hernandez at 120 pounds scored his team four points Thursday at the Matt Classic.