Following the cancellation of Regionals due to weather the weekend before, Vashon wrestlers went straight to the State tournament this past weekend at the Tacoma Dome, placing 21st out of 47 teams overall in the 1A division.

Coach Anders Blomgren, who was voted the state’s 1A Coach of the Year at the event, said that the team had a really strong start coming out of day one in 10th place overall, but day two brought some tough competition and challenges that they just couldn’t quite overcome.

Notable highlights were three seniors making it to day two, Lewis Kanagy reaching the quarter finals in the toughest weight class, and Payton Bonaventura and Jake Carman battling to within two matches of placing.

More great action came from Isaac Escovedo, who made it to the quarter finals and finished one match from placing, Jordon Rutschow, who also fought to within one match from placing, and Ethan McIntyre, who won two matches by pin to finish just two matches from placing.

Other Vashon wrestlers who won matches and got valuable bonus points for the team included Nico Nuxoll, Ryan Nelson, Yury Coucoules and Richard Rivas.

Team members who wrestled “with big hearts” but didn’t win matches were George Murphy, Max Bringhurst, Nikhila Berntson, Jacob Bowden and Finn McClure.

“We had a great season,” Blomgren said, reflecting on the final results. “And I can’t wait for our future.”

In other State wrestling news, longtime island wrestler Adrian St. Germain, who now lives in Tacoma and wrestles for Curtis High School, captured his third title, taking top honors in the 4A 152-pound bracket. He joined the Vashon team and his former coaches for a group photo.