The Mercer Island wrestling team traveled to the annual Panther Classic wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 5. Five members of the team placed third in the tournament. As a team, Mercer Island earned 87 points.

Taylan Yuasa finished in third place overall in the 113-pound division, while Luke Wilson was also third in the 120 weight division. Jake Pruchno was third in the 126 weight class, Nick Chandler was third at 170, and Danny Stanke was third in the 195 division.

Other wrestlers participating in the tournament were Trevor Gullstad, Hank Barenborg, Luca Caruccio, Connor Gullstad, Jack Vassau, Evan Condon, Andy Picton and Ben O’Connell.

In the latest state rankings by Washington Wrestling Report, the Islanders had several individuals in the top 10.

Yuasa was ranked No. 9 in the 106 weight class, Wilson was ranked No. 5 in the 120 division, Pruchno earned a No. 12 ranking in the 126 division and Chandler was No. 7 in the 170 division.

The team traveled to Lake Washington on Tuesday night, after Reporter deadline, and will visit Liberty on Thursday, Jan. 10, in a 7:30 p.m. KingCo match. The team will return home for the Jack Reynolds Tournament of Excellence on Saturday, Jan. 12.