A valiant attempt at a comeback came up short Thursday night, as the Oak Harbor wrestling team fell 45-28 to Monroe.
After losing the first four matches, three via pin, the Wildcats were faced with a 21-0 deficit to start the meet.
Oak Harbor began to pick it up, however, starting with senior co-captian Karlson Miller at 112 pounds. Miller gathered his 10th pin of the season, pinning freshman Ricky Anonson 1 minute, 6 seconds into the first round.
Junior Rob Lemme (119) and sophomore David Wasickanin (125) followed with first-round pins of their own, pulling OHHS within 21-18.
After losing a close match to a decision at 130 pounds, the Wildcats knotted the team score, 24-24, when a determined Jeff Lang pinned Jordan Crepps 1:03 into the first round.
“Our middle weights and our lighter weights performed well,†OHHS head coach Brian Farmer said.
The tide turned, however, at 140 pounds when Wildcat senior co-captain Chris Wichers went down with a brutal arm injury in the second round. Not able to continue, Monroe was awarded the points by injury default.
A half hour delay and concern for their teammate seemed to effect OHHS when wrestling resumed. The Wildcats lost three of their next four matches, with their only win coming off a 14-3 major decision from junior Sean O’Brien (171).
“It was hard to regroup for our team,†Farmer said.
At 0-3 in league and 1-4 overall, Oak Harbor will participate in the Everett Classic today, Jan. 8 and have its next dual meet, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11 at home against Stanwood.
189-Shelton (M) dec. Radach, 6-1; 215-Donnelly (M) pinned Lange, 4:12; 275-Baunsgard (M) pinned Vigel, 3:06; 103-Ja. Ulle (M) pinned Mendoza, 2:34; 112-K. Miller (OH) pinned Anonson, 1:06; 119-Lemme (OH) pinned Ju. Ulle, 1:09; 125-Wasickanin (OH) pinned Stocker, :28; 130-Murray (M) dec. Stratton, 8-6; 135-Lang (OH) pinned Smith, 1:03; 140-Lampers (M) won by injury default; 145-Jacobson (M) pinned Hartt, 3:44; 152-McKenzie (M) dec. J. Miller, 4-2; 160-Twedt (M) pinned Poggie, 5:04; 171-O’Brien (OH) major dec. Elledge, 14-3
