By ANDERS BLOMGREN

Four Vashon wrestlers spent their spring break in Las Vegas, not to hit to slot machines, but to hit the mats, often, and against strong opposition at the Western Regionals competition.

Chase Wickman won the prestigious Double Championship in the junior division. This is a remarkable feat — one that led headlines on the nation’s wrestling website, www.themat.com.

Vashon has never had a junior champ, much less a double champ. Wickman won both the Freestyle and Greco Roman competitions. Along the way, he pinned or tech falled all his opponents, and there were four state champions in his bracket.

Logan Nelson competed in the Cadet (15-16 years) age group and had a stellar showing as well, finishing second in the Greco Roman competition and third in the Freestyle.

Hunter Burger thrilled spectators in his runner-up performance in the Schoolboy (13-14 years) Greco Roman championship, and he placed sixth in the Freestyle portion.

Ryan Nelson found success in the Novice (11-12) age group, placing fourth in the Greco Roman division and sixth in the Freestyle division, demonstrating that he will be a force in the older age groups in the near future.

— Anders Blomgren is a Vashon wrestling coach.