Wrestlers brush off Steilacoom Sentinels and Washington Patriots

Vashon subdued the Steilacoom Sentinels by a score of 54-24 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with eight freshmen and sophomores (out of 14 weight classes) in the starting lineup.

January 20, 2009 9:53 pm
Sam “Slam” Chapman gives Washington Patriot Harold Thomas a taste of Vashon wrestling. Chapman pinned the Patriot 112-pounder in 1:06 of the first round.
Sam “Slam” Chapman gives Washington Patriot Harold Thomas a taste of Vashon wrestling. Chapman pinned the Patriot 112-pounder in 1:06 of the first round.

By CARL BLOMGREN

For The Beachcomber

Vashon subdued the Steilacoom Sentinels by a score of 54-24 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with eight freshmen and sophomores (out of 14 weight classes) in the starting lineup.

Assistant coach Dave Chapman said he considered it a great effort.

Special recognition for outstanding performances goes to: Keegan Shrum, Sylvie Shiosaki, Eddie Protzeller, Geran Webb and Tim Jovanovich. Perhaps the most outstanding match was grappled by freshman Elliot Ellingsen, who came from behind in the third period to win, 11-6.

Two days later, with the aid of multiple forfeits (five to be exact), Vashon defeated Tacoma’s Washington High School Patriots 60-24.

We expect our state champs — Sam Chapman, Rogen Lopez and Sylvie Shiosaki — to be formidable, and they were. Geran Webb is making a move in that direction, and keep your eyes on Dominick Stemer.

This sophomore dynamo stays after practice loaded with questions (sometimes as many as four, reports Coach Per-Lars Blomgren) on how he might improve his technique. Presuming the coaches know what they’re talking about, Stemer — and anyone else who might be interested — will have opportunity to improve.

Our grappling Pirates will showcase their skills tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 22, at Cascade Christian High School, and on Saturday, Jan. 24, they go to Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup for a tournament.

—Carl Blomgren is an avid wrestling fan.