By CARL BLOMGREN

Snapping a one-match losing streak (non-league against Puyallup), Vashon traveled to Steilacoom to test what they might have learned in that first encounter.

When the smoke from several barn-burners had cleared, Vashon had won, 51-36.

To those from Vashon, it was a beautiful sight.

Three Pirates won the first high school match of their young careers: Adam Thalhofer, a senior and newcomer to the sport of wrestling, won his first varsity match, coming from behind to pin his opponent in the third period.

Freshman Kyle Martin wore down his opponent before pinning him in the third period.

And we can’t forget freshman Keegan Shrum, who surprised everyone but himself when he pinned his opponent in the first period.

Not bad for a group of young punks.

However, they did not create all the smoke: Alex Stemer and Adam Wolfe (son of Steilacoom’s coach) generated mucho heat in this barn-burner, with Wolfe finally scorching Alex, 5-4. Both Quinn Patrick and Rogen Lopez won by pins. Sophomore Kyle York won in a tough match 11-6.

Madeleine Wolczko accepted a forfeit, while Sylvie Shiosaki, Ben Salazar, Tim Jovanovich and Noah Crozier (in his first varsity match) also created heat in their losing efforts.

The Pirates headed to Blaine on Friday, Dec. 7 for a two-day tournament, too late for the paper’s deadline.

The next league match is Wednesday, tonight, Dec. 12, at Washington High School in Tacoma.

Your next chance to see our Pirates wrestle at home will be at the Rock Tournament all day on Saturday, Dec. 29.

Remember: smoke or no smoke, there will be plenty of HEAT, so come prepared and wear your tank tops and flip-flops.

— Carl Blomgren is a wrestling enthusiast and father of Vashon head coach Anders Blomgren.