Winning swim meets is all about the numbers.

That explains why the Wildcats, who have just 13 swimmers, lost 91-79 to Stanwood on Thursday despite taking eight first places in 12 total events.

“We did really, really good, except we don’t have the depth,” OHHS coach Jeanett Dorrantes said. “We might take first and then they’re going to take second, third and fourth.”

That’s been the case all season long for Oak Harbor, which constantly faces teams twice or three times its size.

“We can’t fill up all the lanes and that’s what hurts us,” Dorrantes said.

Despite the small numbers, it appeared the Wildcats had a chance to take their first meet against Stanwood.

Julia Marriott, who has already recorded a state qualifying time in the 200 individual medley, led the Wildcats with two individual first place finishes. She grabbed a first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:23.01 and her first-place time of 1:09.95 in the 100 butterfly was just one second off another state qualifying time.

Lillian Brunner also had two first place swims, taking the top spot in the 200 IM (2:55.55) and the 100 backstroke (1:20.87).

Other individual first-place finishers included Meg Gale in the 100 free and Stacey Kallander in the 100 breaststroke.

The 200 medley relay of Brunner, Kallander, Marriott and Gale and the 400 freestyle relay with the same team also took first place finishes.

Oak Harbor has two more dual meets remaining this season with its next coming up against Everett at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool. The Seagulls are also without a win in league in 2005, opening the door for the Wildcats.

“We’re hoping for one this season,” Dorrantes said.