Wrestling: Oak Harbor to send 5 to state meet

Five Oak Harbor High School wrestlers earned spots in this weekend's state wrestling tournament after finishing in the top four at the regional tournaments Feb. 12.

The Oak Harbor boys were led by senior Corey Trimbur (103 pounds) and junior Brandon Stratton (145); the pair finished second in their weight classes at the regional meet at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish.

Sophomore Cody Fakkema (119) grabbed the other state slot by picking up third.

Freshman Jahleel Vester (112) and junior Hunter Vail (215) placed fifth and are state alternates.

As a team, Oak Harbor placed seventh with 72.5 points. Mercer Island claimed the title with 130.

Oak Harbor head coach Mike Crebbin was named Regional Coach of the Year by a vote of his peers.

In the most current state rankings, Trimbur and Stratton are ranked sixth and Fakkema 11th.

The Wildcat girls also finished seventh in the team standings although it only had two wrestlers -- and both in the same weight class -- competing at the regional in Sedro-Woolley. The host Cubs, two-time defending state champions, won the title with 241 points. Oak Harbor scored 35.

Junior Jennifer Fremd and senior Bailey Martinez went 2-3 in the 140-pound class. This will be Fremd's second state trip. Fremd, who is ranked seventh in the state, lost in the finals to the state's top ranked wrestler, Haylee Rabenstein of Sedro-Woolley.

Fremd defeated Bailey in the semi-finals.

The state tournament takes place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 19, at the Tacoma Dome.

Oak Harbor boys results:

Corey Trimbur (second, 103): pin, 3:09; 15-0; 8-9.

Jahleel Vester (fifth, 112): 10-0; pinned, 1:58; pin, 2:24.

Cody Fakkema (third, 119): 6-0; 0-12; pin, 2:53; pin, 3:18.

Brandon Stratton (second, 145): pin, 1:17; 4-2; 4-5.

Joshua Crebbin (152): 5-7; pinned, :50.

Collin Higingbotham (171): pinned, 2:39; 5-9.

Hunter Vail (fifth, 215): pinned, 4:30; 15-4; 1-11; pin, 1:55.

Kyle Mellow (285): pinned, 1:27; pinned, 1:50.

Oak Harbor girls results:

Jennifer Fremd (second, 140): pin, 1:47; pin, 1:27; pinned 1:25.

Bailey Martinez (third, 140): 9-0; pinned, 1:27; 6-5; pin, 4:06.

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

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