Vic Eshpeter

Born in Tacoma on July 20, 1935, Vic Eshpeter became one of the first two-time state high school wrestling champions when he won consecutive state titles in 1953 and 1954. As a junior at Lincoln High School, Eshpeter won his first championship, beating Ken Price of state champion Sedro-Woolley for the 120- pound title, considered the first state tournament though it was actually an invitational held at Washington State College in Pullman. A year later, Eshpeter won his second state championship while also earning the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler award. After graduating from Lincoln High, Eshpeter attended Washington State where he wrestled for three years for Hall of Fame coach Dr. William Tomaras. From 1957-95, a total of 39 years, Eshpeter stayed active in his sport as a wrestling official. A charter member of the Western Washington Wrestling Officials Association, Eshpeter worked his first state tournament in 1957 and officiated in more than 25 state tournaments at all levels. He also worked numerous collegiate matches in the Pacific Northwest. He was named the 1987 Puget Sound Official of the Year and was presented the WIAA/WOA Meritorious Service Award to the youth of the State of Washington as a Wrestling Official. Vic was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005 for his “Lifetime Service to the Sport of Wrestling.”