Vashon High School wrestling team senior Colin McIntyre took first place in his weight division, senior Chase Bradrick got second place, and senior Michael Ryland earned fourth competing at the Sgt. Justin Norton Tournament at Rainier High School on Jan. 13.

The following weekend, on Jan. 20, the boys participated in the Jaguar Invitational at Emerald Ridge High School, where freshman Silvyn Stamat and senior Colin McIntyre placed second, and sophomore Taevin Gilbert and senior Michael Ryland placed third. Jair Valle and Raf Escovedo also placed third at the Jaguar Invitational.

Since then, the boys team lost the League Title Match at home on Jan. 24 to Cascade Christian High School and finished second in the League for the regular season.

On Saturday, Jan. 27, the girls team attended the Berserker tournament at Curtis High School. Sophomores Lena Puz and senior Amelia Medeiros both took first place in their weight divisions, while junior Alara Demir took second and junior Kyla Scheff earned third place.

Both teams will begin post-season wrestling on Saturday, Feb. 3, with the boys team heading to the league tournament at Port Townsend and the girls team on their way to the sub-regional tournament at North Mason High School, where the top wrestlers will advance to districts and regionals respectively, to decide which wrestler will attend the Mat Classic state tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 16 and 17.

For the first time in many years, the boys 1A regional tournament will be held on Vashon Island this year. It will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, bringing teams from all over the Puget Sound area to the island for competition.

Stephen Murphy is an assistant wrestling coach at VHS. Anders Blomgren is a head wrestling coach at VHS.