The Oak Harbor High School boys’ cross country team nearly recorded a perfect score in defeating Monroe and Lynnwood and the girls’ squad missed winning by one point in the Wildcats’ only home meet of the season Thursday at Windjammer Park.

Running through a rain-soaked course at the City Beach Park and Freund Marsh Trail, the Wildcat boys’ scored 18 points (15 is perfect), to overwhelm Monroe, which tallied 46, and Lynnwood, which trailed with 75.

To get a perfect score, a team has to capture the top five spots in a race. Oak Harbor went 1-2-4-5-6. A Monroe runner was the spoiler, finishing third.

Tyler King cruised to victory at 15:42. The time established the course record since it was the first time the layout was use. The Wildcats ran their home meets at the Werth Farm the past few years. They have also used Deception Pass and Fort Casey in the recent past.

Matt Reith ran second in 14:48, followed by Matt Bolte in fourth (16:28), John Kaltenbach in fifth (16:38), and Christopher Horn in sixth (16:43).

The Wildcats had three more finish in the top 10: Colton Elliot, eighth (17:15); Wyatt Homola, ninth (17:18), and Mitchell Jackson, 10th (17:28).

The Oak Harbor girls’ team was nipped by Monroe 32-33. Lynnwood finished a distant third with 60 points.

Coach Andy Wesley said his squad was short-handed, missing several key girls to illness, injury, and a college visit.

Allison Duvenez was the top Wildcat runner, nabbing second in 18:34.

Christina Wickers was fifth (19:52); Taylor Von Grey, sixth (19:56); and Ariel McCarter, eighth (20).

Other Wildcats racers included Jessica Foster, 12th (21:20); Carlie Kenny, 17th (22:48); Bailey Martinez, 22nd (23:56); Taylor Bates, 25th (24:14); and Christina Houck, 29th (24:51).

Oak Harbor faces two tough challenges before competing in the post season meets. Saturday the Wildcats take part in the Mount Baker Invitational at Silver Lake Park in Maple Falls.

Next Thursday they travel to Jackson to take on the Timberwolves, Mariner, and Arlington. Jackson is the No. 1 ranked 4A team in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association poll.