Vashon wrestling prepares for the Mat

Ten Vashon wrestlers, in total, qualified for the state tournament.

By Stephen Murphy and Anders Blomgren For The Beachcomber • February 12, 2025 10:30 am
The VHS girls team and coaches pose with the Nisqually league championship plaque. Left to right: Per-Lars Blomgren, Hazel Nielsen, Anders Blomgren, Lena Puz, girls coach Jan Nielsen, Sydney Shannon, Kyla Scheff, Alara Demir, and girls coach Stephen Murphy. Not pictured: Ashley Rice. (Amy Nielsen photo)
The VHS girls team and coaches pose with the Nisqually league championship plaque. Left to right: Per-Lars Blomgren, Hazel Nielsen, Anders Blomgren, Lena Puz, girls coach Jan Nielsen, Sydney Shannon, Kyla Scheff, Alara Demir, and girls coach Stephen Murphy. Not pictured: Ashley Rice. (Amy Nielsen photo)

The Vashon High School Pirates visited Life Christian Academy last weekend to compete in their district tournament, wrestling with poise and courage for their shot at competing at state.

Those tournaments determined who would advance to the state wrestling tournament, the Mat Classic XXXVI, at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22.

Vashon entered 22 competitors to this tournament and came away with both individual and team successes.

The tenacious girls squad placed first in the district, and in special recognition of a stellar season, Lena Puz was recognized by the attending coaches and honored as district co-wrestler of the year. Both the boys and girls teams received the district sportsmanship of the year award.

Ten Vashon wrestlers, in total, qualified for the state tournament.

Juniors Hazel Nielsen and Alara Demir stood atop the podium after winning their respective brackets. Juniors Teavon Gilbert, Will Henley, Lena Puz and sophomore Jacob Lawrence all earned second. Freshman Johnny Joyce placed third after pinning Liam Sauerwin from Klahowya.

Senior Jair Valle gutted out a consolation semifinals match over Klahowya’s Calvin Moore — who beat Jair earlier in the day — winning in the final moments by points to seal another third-place victory. Junior Oliver Pickney took third place and fellow junior Ashley Rice earned second place, both solidifing their trips to the Dome.

Three alternates are ready to compete at state, too, if any of Vashon’s qualifiers can’t make it: seniors Sydney Shannon and Kyla Scheff, and sophomore Rafael Escovedo.

Overall, Vashon wrestlers continue to improve and will be using the time between now and the Mat Classic to keep growing and training as they prepare for the season finale.

The wrestling room will be active and the intensity fierce, and as head coach Anders Blomgren says: “February is Vashon wrestling time!”

Stephen Murphy is an assistant wrestling coach at VHS. Anders Blomgren is a head wrestling coach at VHS.

Jair Valle wins the bout that sent him to state, as teammates celebrate in the background. (Courtesy photo)

Jair Valle wins the bout that sent him to state, as teammates celebrate in the background. (Courtesy photo)