
Wrestling has been around Vashon Island High School for about 60 years and students still enjoy it due an inclusive community and supportive coaches. Some might even find the team to be helpful at making friends with new people. Wrestling has changed drastically over the many years at VHS.
“I would say that the biggest changes in the sport in the last 25 years in high school are connected to what are called ‘scrambles’ situations in which wrestlers attempt to get out of moves by using more flexibility and creativity as opposed to merely their muscles,” Coach Per Lars Blomgren said.
Endurance training plays an important role in winning a wrestling match. Training is vital so students don’t hurt themselves. The athletes alternate between sprints and runs as a way to train.
“It's a very fun and physically challenging sport,” senior Eban Tracy said
Wrestling is a strength-based sport that involves training to perfect certain skills. The coaches give very helpful advice to the athletes about how to win the match based on looking at previous footage of matches, and by correcting student athletes on what they’re doing wrong.
“The coaches tell me what I'm doing right which is very validating and motivating. They are also just super supportive and they are the reason I keep wrestling,” said senior Kyla Scheff.
Advice is very important when it comes to increasing your skills in wrestling.
“The coaches helped me improve by giving me support and advice when I need it,” sophomore Jacob Lawrence said.
Supportive wrestling coaches who make student athletes feel good about their skill level motivates students to improve in the sport. Additionally, many wrestlers have friends on the team, which helps motivate them through wins and losses.
“My favorite thing about wrestling is hanging out with friends and having a good time improving my skills,” freshman Jacob Henley said.
Wrestling doesn't always have to be a super serious sport; it can also be fun to just learn and mess around with friends.
“I like my teammates and that I wrestle with Jacob Lawrence,” Tracy said.
Team building and connections is vital for a good and enjoyable sports season. The coaches help build team culture by participating and helping the athletes with drills.
“Team bonding is like building a family,” junior Sebastian Gallez said.
As students are on a team, they learn to bond together and support each other for everyone's victories.
Family members who previously participated in wrestling can be great inspirations for young athletes at VHS.
“My biggest inspiration during a match is my cousin Madeleine because she placed in state and in my eyes is an inspiration,” junior Ashley Rice said.
Wrestling is a sport that brings many kids and coaches together. It is a very tough sport to play as it challenges the body and pushes it to its limit, but when students win, the satisfaction rate is very high. Losses can be tough to deal with, but students keep pushing through.
“You just focus on the next game and forget about the loss,” Lawrence said.
Like Lawrence said, wrestlers have to focus on the next match and forget any previous losses..
Wrestling builds friendships and memories that could last a lifetime. It's an all round fun experience to have in high school before students graduate.