Last weekend the Vashon High School wrestlers emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the post-season run to the state finals.

At the sub-regional tournament in Orting on Saturday, the Pirates qualified 13 wrestlers and one alternate to the regional tournament, which will take place this Saturday at Bellevue Christian School. As a team, Vashon placed second out of five, had four champions and put five grapplers in the finals.

The coaches were ecstatic, given that the team was coming off a poor showing last week.

The grapplers all survived an exceptionally brutal week of practice — mild cursing was used to describe it by more than one. But their hard work ultimately paid off.

Pirate champions, who all won their final matches by pin, were Elliott Ellingsen, who beat a wrestler from Cascade Christian ranked fourth in the state; Preston Morris, with three pins on the day; Louie Jovanovich, who pinned his arch rival from Orting, and Robert “Beaston” Easton, who continued his dominance on the mat with three pins.

A.J. Sawyer, who had to wrestle “Beaston” in the finals, took second. Third place awards went to Shane Armstrong, Joe Coller, Joey DiFabio, Elan Peterson and Kevin Thomas. Trevor Figgins, Max Frederickson and Christian Seymore all finished fourth and will also continue on to the regional tournament. Codi Williams placed fifth and is an alternate for regionals.

Also representing Vashon and performing well was Cole Devereau, who finished sixth in his bracket.

The coaches expect at least seven or eight Vashon wrestlers to make it out of the regional tournament and represent Vashon at the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

The lady grapplers also fared well in their competition. Sophomore Rachael Thomas finished fourth and moves on to regionals, and senior Julie Wilson had another outstanding day, taking a second-place award and moving on to the regional competition.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of a middle school wrestler.