While the Oak Harbor High School swim and dive team did not win its home opener Tuesday, Jan. 8, the meet, itself, was a victory.

Mount Vernon won 97-81.

North Whidbey voters approved a levy this fall that re-opened the pool and allowed the Wildcats to field a team this season.

“Without the support of the community, this wouldn’t be happening,” Oak Harbor coach John Chargualaf said during the meet.

“To be where we are now considering where we started, the season is going great.”

Chargualaf pointed to his athletes and the crowd cheering on the swimmers: “Look at this — passing the levy made this possible.”

Oak Harbor led 46-45 halfway through the 12-event meet, then Mount Vernon (4-1) won five the final six races to pull away.

Winners for the Wildcats were Micah Franklin (200-meter individual medley, 2:36.51), Kyto Morrow (diving, 160) and the 200 freestyle relay team (Ignacio Campos, Franklin, Lawrence Zapanta, Rylan Quiros; 1:58.08).

Oak Harbor (0-4) faces Marysville Getchell and host Marysville-Pilchuck at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Oak Harbor results with Mount Vernon

Second: Pablo Closson, 200 free, 2:43.36; 400 free, 6:04.4; Zapanta, 200 IM, 2:49.97; 100 breaststroke, 1:24.46; Quiros, 50 free, 27.95; John Blankman, diving, 89.65; Franklin, 100 butterfly, 1:13.53; Aaron Martinez, 100 backstroke, 1:23.45; 200 medley relay (Martinez, Zapanta, Franklin, Quiros), 2:19.77; 400 free relay (Closson, Andrew Lof, William Dylander, Martinez), 5:08.35.

Third: Chris Hoppock, diving, 35.8; Campos, 100 fly, 1:23.84; Martinez, 100 free, 1:07.6; Quiros, 100 breast, 1:15.44.

Fourth: Riley Pickett, 50 free, 29.44; Taiveyon Shaw, diving, 31.45; Lof, 400 free, 7:12.45.

Fifth: Riley Williamson, 100 free, 1:25.37; Sterling Bassett, 100 back, 2:05.86.