By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

At the end of a two-day 3A District 1 girls wrestling tournament last weekend, Oak Harbor found 19 of its wrestlers placed high enough to qualify for the Mat Classic state tournament later this week.

The Wildcats performance was good enough to capture second place in the 15-team tournament Feb. 14 and 15 comprised of 3A schools from the Northwest and Wesco conferences. The tournament had been delayed one week.

“Individually some of our kids did really well,” said Coach Mike Crebbin.

Three Oak Harbor wrestlers placed first – Julia Gonzales at 100 pounds, Genesis Egli at 125 pounds and Sarai Egli at 130 pounds, according to TrackWrestling.com.

Sedro-Woolley won the district championships that took place at Oak Harbor High School. The top 10 wrestlers from each weight class qualify for the Mat Classic.

“We knew it was going to be close,” Crebbin said. “Sedro is an extremely good team with depth and talent across their lineup.”

Sedro-Woolley brought 24 wrestlers to the tournament while Oak Harbor brought 21.

Three Oak Harbor wrestlers placed second – Madelynne Brooks at 155 pounds, Loto Tupu at 190 pounds and Olivia Hudson at 235 pounds.

Jayanna Ivory placed third at 115 pounds, Emma Whalen placed fourth at 120 pounds and Cady Ritz placed fifth at 170 pounds.

Four Wildcat wrestlers placed sixth – Isabella Nuno at 105 pounds, Masserati Valenzuela at 135 pounds, Nuve Barrera at 145 pounds and Hannah Bailey at 235 pounds.

Jayda Paynter placed seventh at 190 pounds while Amber Shaffer placed eighth at 100 pounds and Ambrea Habitan placed eighth at 110 pounds.

Jaid Williams at 130 pounds, Tatyana Cabell at 135 pounds and Madison Yadon at 140 pounds placed ninth in their weight classes.

Oak Harbor’s boys wrestling team is sending 10 wrestlers to the Mat Classic. Nine qualified during the District 1, 3A North tournament held Feb. 8 in Monroe. A tenth wrestler, Neeko Leonard at 138 pounds, earned a spot Feb. 12 in Stanwood. After placing fifth at the District 1 North tournament, he defeated the fifth-place wrestler from the District 1 South tournament.

The Mat Classic takes place Feb. 20-22 at the Tacoma Dome. Oak Harbor’s boys and girls teams will compete Feb. 20-21 while South Whidbey’s wrestling teams compete Feb. 21-22.

Crebbin said the tournament expands for 2025. The girls tournaments increased from two classifications to four.

He said he is working on strategies this week and teaching the wrestlers to take the tournament “one match at a time.”

“I just try to get each kid doing the best they can,” Crebbin said.