T-E-N!

The total number of fingers, the total number of toes, the total number of Vashon wrestlers qualifying to continue on the journey to the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

Ten Vashon wrestlers placed fifth or better in their respective weight classes last Saturday at the 1-A Tri-District wrestling tournament at Bellevue Christian High School.

They are champs Sam Chapman, Eddie Protzeller, Rogen Lopez, Adam Thalhofer and Timmy Jovanovich. Securing second place were Quinn Patrick, Alex Stemer and Geran Webb.

Kyle Martin took a third, and Dominick Stemer took fifth place.

Also participating were Keegan Shrum, Graeme Britz, Noah Crozier and Ben Salazar.

Orting High School, currently ranked second in the state, took first place. The Pirates, who are currently ranked 12th in the State, took second place.

The next obstacle for these 10 Vashon wrestlers is at Castle Rock this weekend, Feb. 8 and 9, where the super regionals will take place.

The following weekend the doors in the Tacoma Dome will open for the top four in each weight class from the regional tournaments.

You, my good readers, will need to purchase a ticket to secure entrance.

Let me tell you this: If you divided whatever the ticket might cost by the possible number of matches wrestled simultaneously on 32 mats, you’ve got yourself a deal — something like 10 cents per match or less!

And you will have the opportunity to watch the best wrestlers in the state in all classifications, 4-A to 1-A, to say nothing of the girls’ state tournament at the same time, same location.

If I don’t spot you among the thousands, we’ll talk about it later. Go Pirates!

— Carl Blomgren is serious about wrestling, and he is the father of two Vashon coaches.