The one individual match it didn’t wrestle may have cost Oak Harbor the most in its 40-36 loss at Marysville-Pilchuck Thursday, Dec. 8.

The Wildcats (2-1) had to forfeit the 106-pound bout and the six points proved to be the difference in the defeat.

Oak Harbor trailed throughout the first 10 matches, but a string of three pins by Jeremy Vester (113 pounds), Jahleel Vester (120) and Cody Fakkema (126) helped the ‘Cats gain their first lead, 36-34, heading into the final match.

Freshman Matt Johnston (132) then lost by a fall as the Tomahawks pulled out the win.

Other winners for the Wildcats were Nathanael Stanford (145), Josh Orritt (170) and Hunter Vail (220), all by pins.

Coach Mike Crebbin said, “A lot of improvements, but some areas we still need to work on.  A few matches we didn’t work our technique but ‘grabbed’ what was available only to find out it was a set up for a move by the other wrestler.  We drill a specific progression of moves, and we need to maintain that discipline without deviation.”

Next up is Oak Harbor’s first home and league match against Lynnwood at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.

Other M-P results:

138, Ben Pralle, pinned; Josh Crebbin, lost 17-8; 160, David Payne, lost 11-9; 170, Collin Higingbotham, lost 5-2; 195, Jeremy Alonzo, pinned; 285, Ray Quinday, pinned.