Wednesday, April 23, 2014 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
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Wrestlers have success at regional contest Youth baseball opens, Bennedsen honored
By ANDERS BLOMGREN For The Beachcomber
Four Vashon wrestlers spent their spring break in Las Vegas, not to hit to slot machines, but to hit the mats, often, and against strong opposition at the Western Regionals competition. Chase Wickman won the prestigious Double Championship in the junior division. This is a remarkable feat — one that led headlines on the nation’s wrestling website, www.themat.com. Vashon has never had a junior champ, much less a double champ. Wickman won both the Freestyle and Greco Roman competitions. Along the way, he pinned or tech falled all his opponents, and there were four state champions in his bracket. Logan Nelson competed in the Cadet (15-16 years) age group and had a stellar showing as well, finishing second in the Greco Roman competition and third in the Freestyle.
Courtesy Photo
Chase Wickman pins at opponent on his way to becoming the Double Champion Hunter Burger thrilled spectators in his runner-up performance in the Schoolboy (13-14 years) Greco Roman championship, and he placed sixth in the Freestyle portion. Ryan Nelson found success in the Novice (11-12) age group, placing fourth in the Greco Roman division
and sixth in the Freestyle division, demonstrating that he will be a force in the older age groups in the near future. — Anders Blomgren is a Vashon wrestling coach.
Soccer team easily handles Chimacum at away game The Vashon boys’ soccer team traveled to Chimacum last week during spring break. With a lack of Pirate players in attendance due to spring break, there were five varsity players and 11 JV players on hand for the match. Controlling possession and out-running the opponents, Vashon won 7-1. Goal leaders were varsity player Anthony Gateman with two and JV player Zane Bork with two. Goalkeeper Brett Beardsley had a great performance but
was scored on late due to a breakdown in Vashon defensive concentration. Also notable was JV player Grayson Gale, who contributed solidly to the defensive back line. This week the Pirates play two tough games at home. Tuesday, after press time, they played Charles Wright. Thursday will be a rematch of a 2-1 loss to Cascade Christian. JV starts at 4 p.m. and varsity at 6 p.m. — Ben Bork
The Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball season grand opening will be at the VES Fields on Saturday morning with an “all are welcome� celebration. Festivities will kick off with a small parade, games and pizza. At 11 a.m., members of the American Legion will conduct a flag ceremony followed by brief speeches. Sen. Sharon Nelson will address the crowd as will Kaleen Cottingham, the director of the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, the grant agency that helped fund the VES Fields project. Finally, there will be thanks given to the numerous donors and volunteers for the VES project, and the north field will be dedicated to 1st Lt. Robert N. Bennedsen, who graduated from Vashon High School and was killed in Afghanistan
Bennedsen at age 25 on July 18, 2010. The Vashon Park District recently voted unanimously to name the field after Bennedsen, who was an avid athlete and a mentor to many island youth, including commissioner Joe Wald’s son. Wald recommended the field be dedicated to Bennedsen, citing the young man’s strength of character and his many contributions to the island and his service to the country. “It would be an honor to name the field after him,� he said at the recent meeting.
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