The Vashon High School grapplers traveled to Port Townsend on Saturday to compete head-to-head against four other wrestling teams. Vashon split the day, beating both Port Townsend and Tenino, but losing to Omak and Montesano.
The coaches, brothers Anders and PerLars Blomgren, established the Hat Trick Challenge this year, offering a prize to any Pirate wrestler who was able to win three matches during the day.
Winners of the inaugural event were Shane Armstrong and Preston Morris, who each won three matches, as well as Elliott Ellingsen and Kevin Thomas, who each won four matches.
Vashon’s team is heavy with young and new wrestlers this season. Getting their first career victories (all by pin) were Max Fredericksen, Sam Fredericksen and Jason Kruly.
Also competing and winning matches by pin were Eugene Bergman, Joey DiFabio, Trevor Figgins, Louie Jovanovich, Christian Seymour and Codi Williams. Jovanovich had the fastest pin for Vashon in 19 seconds.
Cole Devereau and A.J. Sawyer also competed and added valuable team points.
Representing the VHS girls wrestling team were Rachael Thomas, Julie Wilson and Anneke Steneker, who all wrestled well, contributing team points and getting some extra mat time with exhibition matches.
The Pirates wrestled at home in a dual meet against Decatur on Tuesday after press deadline. This weekend the team will travel to the prestigious tri-state tournament in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The next home meet is the day-long Rock Island Tournament, where 14 teams from around the state will compete for the coveted gilded rock on Dec. 28.
