Panthers caught in Cat's Webb

"The Oak Harbor wrestling team's lighter classes had not been its strongest suit coming into the team's meet with the previously in-league undefeated Snohomish Panthers. But during a night where one match could have swung the tide, the Wildcats' light weights grabbed three straight pins to start the night - including an amazing come-from-behind win by freshman Dale Webb - as Oak Harbor siezed the victory, 42-23. The first two rounds of Webb's match were not pretty, with the freshman losing on points, 15-8, and looking tired entering the third round. With just one minute remaining in the match, however, Webb turned on his opponent and flipped him to his back. The fans in the Oak Harbor gym exploded with the slap of the officials hand, as Webb snatched the pin with only 41 seconds remaining.I just caught him doing something he shouldn't have, said Webb. Usually other wrestlers test us on mistakes during practice. That was just what I did on the mat and I got him on it.I really felt that it was a critical match for us, said head coach Brian Farmer. I was just really proud of him.The ensuing seconds of pandemonium included Oak Harbor's assistant coach Rick Karjalainen running onto the mat, picking up Webb at the waist and carrying him off the mat. Usually 103 pounders don't get pins, said Webb. So when we do it usually sets the mood for everybody.Juniors Jon Garcia at 112 pounds, and Kevin Lang (119), fallowed Webb's lead as they too earned pins. These younger guys were psyched out, said senior Danny Wichers. This just shows how much we have matured.The Wildcats needed the 18-0 lead that they mounted as the Snohomish wrestlers worked their way back into the meet with decisions over freshman Kyle Isaacson (125) and juniors Micah Pruss (135) and Brent Thompson (145). But the fact that the Panthers didn't get pins or more points in these matches loomed large.We didn't give up pin points, said Farmer. I thought that was one of the keys for us. A pin by Wichers (130) offset a pin by Snohomish over sophomore Kyle Burner (140). After a decision by Oak Harbor senior Brian Lang (152) and a major decision loss by Jake Horn (160), it came time for the big boys to decide who would remain undefeated as the score hung at 27-20. Oak Harbor senior Brent Lang would decide it quickly with a pin at the 5.4 mark of the first, but senior David Kazman lost (189). Wildcat Junior Chris Whiteman won by making a 4-3 lead stand up for the duration of the third round. The Oak Harbor gym exploded in cheers for Whiteman as the time expired. Junior Sean Hogan put an exclamation mark on the victory for Oak Harbor as he pinned his opponent at the 1:32 mark of the second round.They are a tough team and high scoring team like us so pins were crucial, said Hogan.Oak Harbor traveled to Sehome Thursday evening and won 50-16 to improve to 9-0 in league. "

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