Oak Harbor hosts first girls wrestling tournament

Oak Harbor’s girls wrestling team topped a dozen other schools at the Rock Island Rumble tournament.

January 9, 2024 1:30 am
Oak Harbor’s Julia Gonzales tries to pin an opponent during a match Saturday during the Rock Island Rumble tournament Saturday that saw 13 schools compete at Oak Harbor High School. Gonzales placed first in the 100-pound weight class. (Photo by John Fisken)
Oak Harbor’s Julia Gonzales tries to pin an opponent during a match Saturday during the Rock Island Rumble tournament Saturday that saw 13 schools compete at Oak Harbor High School. Gonzales placed first in the 100-pound weight class. (Photo by John Fisken)

By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

Oak Harbor’s girls wrestling team topped a dozen other schools Saturday when they hosted the inaugural Rock Island Rumble tournament at Oak Harbor High School.

Coach Mike Crebbin said the tournament is “just trying to continue to grow the program and get exposure for the girls and grow.”

He added the event also serves as a fundraiser for the wrestling program.

South Whidbey and Anacortes competed in the tournament as well as schools from as far away as Federal Way and Auburn. Crebbin said a large, two-day tournament took place the same weekend as the Rock Island Rumble. He said Oak Harbor’s tournament tries to provide an alternative for teams who lack the finances to travel to an overnight tournament.

Oak Harbor won the one-day tournament with a score of 146.5 points. Auburn placed second at 127 points and Stanwood placed third at 112.5 points. South Whidbey placed ninth with 33 points.

Eleven Wildcat wrestlers on the girls team placed in the top four of their weight classes.

“It was just good wrestling,” Crebbin said.

Julia Gonzales (100 pounds) and Brianna Richard (135 pounds) won first in their weight classes while Isabella Nuno (105 pounds), Emma Whalen (120 pounds), and Danielle Kanterman (130 pounds) placed second in their weight classes.

Genesis Egli (125 pounds), Zoe Beeman (145 pounds), and Olivia Hudson (235 pounds) placed third while Cayla Turner (125 pounds), Johanna Cisco (145 pounds) and Cady Ritz (170 pounds) placed fourth in their weight classes.

South Whidbey High School sent eight wrestlers to compete in the Rock Island Rumble. Two Falcon wrestlers placed in the top three of their weight classes.

Junior Kaylee Baker placed first at 140 pounds while sophomore Josie Ploof placed third at 170 pounds.

“The other girls did extremely well and I’m proud of them for stepping onto that mat,” South Whidbey coach Nicole Helseth said, adding that the wrestlers learned a lot from the tournament.

South Whidbey travels to Seattle Academy for a dual meet Jan. 10 and then to Issaquah Jan. 13 to compete in the Justice for All tournament.

Oak Harbor girls wrestling travels to Squalicum Jan. 11 and then a tournament Jan. 13 at Anacortes.

Oak Harbor’s Brianna Richard wrestles an opponent during the Rock Island Rumble tournament that took place Saturday at Oak Harbor High School. Richard placed first in the 135-pound weight class. (Photo by John Fisken)

Oak Harbor’s Brianna Richard wrestles an opponent during the Rock Island Rumble tournament that took place Saturday at Oak Harbor High School. Richard placed first in the 135-pound weight class. (Photo by John Fisken)