Wrestling: Oak Harbor starts Wesco 3A action with win

In a back-and-forth match, the Oak Harbor wrestling team picked up its first win of the year with a 38-27 verdict over host Glacier Peak Thursday, Dec. 16, in the Wesco 3A opener for both schools.

The Wildcats (1-4) compete next at the Graham Morin Memorial Tournament at Squalicum High School in Bellingham Saturday at 10 a.m.

In the win over the Grizzlies, Oak Harbor built an early lead, fell behind, then bounced back to take the match.

Wins by Jahleel Vester (112 pounds, 15-2), Corey Trimbur (119, pin, 3:24) and Cody Fakkema (125, 14-3) helped the Wildcats spurt to a 14-0 lead.

Glacier Peak (0-4) then took the next four matches to move on top 21-14.

In those matches, Wildcats Athan Taisague (130, pin, 1:02), Ryuta Meany (135, pin, 1:50), Nate Stanford (140, pin, 2:58) and David Payne (145, 10-6) all lost.

Joshua Crebbin (152) helped Oak Harbor trim the margin to 21-20 with a pin (1:37).

GP picked up three more points when Brandon Stratton (160) suffered a last-second 8-7 loss.

Justin Everett (171) put the 'Cats back in the lead 26-24 with a fall (4:40).

The Grizzlies regained the lead, 27-26, when Oak Harbor's Collin Higingbotham (189) was nipped at the buzzer 10-8.

A pin (1:20) by Jeremy Alonzo (215) wrapped up the Wildcat win. A forfeit victory by Kyle Mellow (285) set the final score.

The 103 match was a double forfeit.

Oak Harbor coach Mike Crebbin said he moved some of his athletes around to put "our strength on their strength" and the moves worked out.

Crebbin said, "Corey Trimbur and Cody Fakkema wrestled very well and probably won the match for us."

He added, "We won some that surprised us and was lost some we thought we would win."

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.