The Vashon Island High School wrestling season is in full swing. As with the tradition of Vashon wrestling, the team is full of hardworking athletes ranging from eighth grade through seniors.

There are veterans improving their skills and new wrestlers learning the sport.

The Rock Annual Wrestling Tournament took place at Vashon High School on Dec. 30, hosting 13 boys teams from around the region. The team was scrappy and learned a lot from the competition. Junior Jacob Lawrence took home a second-place “Rock” in the 138-pound weight class, and senior Taevin Gilbert placed fourth at 132. Sophomore Johnny Joyce placed fifth at 157, and senior Oliver Pickney placed sixth at 190 pounds.

Following the New Year’s, the girls wrestling team’s senior competitors — Alara Demir, Hazel Nielsen and Lena Puz — competed at the Gut Check Tournament in Kent.

This tournament showcased some of the most premier girls wrestling around the state, drawing high school competitors from as far away as Oregon and Canada.

Lena — who is last year’s state wrestling champion in her weight class — defeated nationally ranked Tayden Bylin from Enumclaw High School in the semifinals with a pin in the second period.

Lena showed tremendous resolve and strength, recovering from a deficit in the first period for the win. Lena then won her finals match against junior Abigail Worthatch from Sumner High School to become Vashon’s first girls Gut Check champion.

The team’s competitive season has ramped up and is packed full with dozens of dual meets and tournaments in the coming weeks, including a home dual wrestling match on Jan. 28.

The wrestling community is training hard and grinding in the room to become the best version of themselves as they turn the corner to the second half of the season and ramp up for the Annual Mat Classic XXXVII state tournament at the Tacoma Dome in February.

Stephen Murphy is an assistant wrestling coach for Vashon High School