The Pirate traveled Bellevue Christian for a Nisqually League dual meet last Thursday, when the Pirates put a choke hold on the Vikings, winning the match by a remarkable score of 75-3.

The Pirates received three wins by forfeit, then lost only one of the varsity matches wrestled — and that was a tough nail-biting overtime loss.

Nine of the victories were by fall, most in the first round. It was as dominating a performance as any had seen in the last several years.

Winning varsity matches were Shane Williams, Bryce Hoisington, Codi Williams, Clyde Pruett, Logan Nelson, Fletcher Call, Franklin Easton, Ian McWhirter, Preston Morris and Louis Jovanovich.

In junior varsity action, Vashon again dominated Bellevue Christian. The Pirate squad went four for five in matches, all four wins by fall. Winning were Ian McWhirter, Peter Wolczko, Hunter Stanley and Marquis Stendahl.

Match of the night went to Ian McWhirter, who stepped up and saw his first varsity action in the brutal 195-pound weight class. He took a 4-1 lead into the second round before pinning his opponent. Also of note was senior Andrew Wittwer’s  match — a dead even contest that went the distance but ended in a 6-8 loss.

With the Eatonville Cruisers beating Cascade Christian in their dual meet, the stage is set for a Nisqually League Championship match Thursday at the VHS gym. The Pirates will take on Cascade Christian. Junior varsity action will begin at 6 p.m., a ceremony honoring the seniors at 6:40 p.m., followed by varsity action at 7 p.m.

Senior Shane Armstrong, out the last 10 days with a broken finger, reports he will be ready to go on Thursday night and can’t wait to get back in the circle.  This is the last chance to see the Pirates on their home floor.

In other wresting news, The Vashon Rockbusters, the youth wrestling club on the island, concluded its season Saturday with the Pierce County Junior Wrestling League Championships.

This year, the team qualified two wrestlers: Ryan Nelson and Colin McIntyre.  For the first time in many years, the Rockbusters have a champion in McIntyre, who took the top spot in the 58-pound weight class for wrestlers age 8 and under. It was a tight match, taking a scant 2-2 score through regulation time. McIntyre won the bout in overtime.

At McMurray Middle School, wrestling started this week. A record 37 students signed up.

Matches will begin within the next two weeks, and the abbreviated season will wrap up before the end of March.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two high school wrestlers.