By CHERYL PRUETT

The Vashon Pirate wrestlers started their season off with two strong showings right out of the gate.

The team traveled to Elma to battle the Eagles in the first dual meet of the season, Thursday, Dec. 5. After falling behind early, trailing 33-18, the squad turned it around, winning the final five matches of the night, resulting in a final score of 42-33, with Pirates taking  the victory. It was the first time in the Blomgren brothers’ coaching era that the Pirates won a dual meet with the always tough Eagles team.

Winning varsity matches were Chase Wickman and Preston Petersen (by forfeit), Bryce Hoisington, Chester Pruett, Logan Nelson, Franklin Easton, Shane Armstrong and Preston Morris. It was the first match of freshman Hoisington’s high school career, and after a close match, tied 2-2 in the second round, he pinned his opponent. Senior Vanessa Williams, a new wrestler, made an awesome showing, battling hard until falling by pin deep in the third round. Match of the night went to Chester Pruett, who had a brawl on his hands, squeaking out the victory in the 160-pound weight class, 8-7.

The Pirates wrestled at the Auburn Invitational Tournament at Auburn High School on Saturday, Dec. 7. Eight varsity wrestlers and 12 JV wrestlers competed against grapplers from seven other much larger high schools. On the varsity side of the bracket, sophomore Clyde Pruett and senior Preston Morris took second.  Champions for Vashon were sophomore Chase Wickman and senior Shane Armstrong, both winning all their matches decisively.

Competition was stiff on the JV side of the tournament, with five Vashon wrestlers making the finals.  Champions were freshman Bryce Hoisington, sophomore Fletcher Call and junior Joe Coller. Taking second were sophomore Preston Petersen and senior Peter Wolczko. Senior Baxter Call placed third, and sophomore Hunter Stanley and senior Ian McWhirter wrestled their way to fourth. New to the Pirate wrestling squad, both Wolczko and McWhirter were participating in their first ever tournament.

The small squad amassed enough team points to finish fourth overall.

This week the Pirates travel to Decatur High School on Friday for a double dual meet with teams from Decatur and Bethel. On Saturday they will head to Port Townsend for the annual Hat Trick Tournament.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two Pirate wrestlers.