This spring the Vashon Rock Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling Club, headed by Per Lars and Anders Blomgren, merged with Pin City Wrestling Club of Lake Stevens and Seattle. 

Pin City originated in Lake Stevens with Burke Barnes, a four-time Washington state champion and four-time collegiate All American. Now with three participating cities, wrestlers under the umbrella club have more coaches and more opportunities to teach and train together.

On Saturday, April 30, Pin City competed at the Washington State Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships, held at Montesano High School, where several Vashon wrestlers placed in their weight classes.

Wolfgang Melrose in the schoolboy division placed second. Shane Armstrong in the cadet division placed third; Robert Easton in the junior division placed third, and Preson Morris, also in the cadet division, placed fourth. 

Other Vashon participants included Joey Defabio, Todd Gateman, Ellis Petersen, Preston Petersen, Henry Ruff and Kevin Thomas.

Earlier this month, the club split up to compete at two different tournaments on Saturday, May 7. At the Washington State Kids Freestyle in Spokane, Hunter Berger placed sixth in the novice division at 95 pounds, and Logan Nelson placed second in the schoolboy division at 161 pounds. 

At the Western States Regionals Freestyle in Tuscon, Ariz., Easton placed third in the junior division at 189 pounds, Armstrong placed second in the cadet division at 171 pounds, and Morris Placed fourth in the cadet division at 171 pounds.

— Corey McIntyre