By NATHAN WHALEN
Special to the News-Times
With a team of about 30 wrestlers, Oak Harbor’s girls wrestling team finds itself undefeated in dual matches and having strong showings at weekend tournaments.
Their latest effort saw the Wildcats placing second as a team at the Woolley Women’s tournament that took place Jan. 4 at Sedro-Woolley, coach Mike Crebbin said. More than 30 teams participated.
“It was a little bigger than I expected,” Crebbin said of the size of the tournament.
Senior Genesis Egli placed first at 125 pounds when she pinned Sedro-Woolley’s Micayla Yates. Crebbin said Egli’s victory marked the first time she defeated Yates, who is the top-ranked 3A wrestler at 125 pounds.
Senior Loto Tupu placed first at 190 pounds when she defeated Stanwood’s Makayla Finch 4-2, according to results posted on Track Wrestling. Tupu’s victory was significant because she previously lost to Finch at a tournament in Stanwood in December, Crebbin said.
Senior Olivia Hudson placed second at 235 pounds.
Lake Stevens won the Woolley Women’s tournament.
“It was a good mark for us as to where we are and where we want to be in six weeks,” Crebbin said.
Oak Harbor’s girls wrestling program has enjoyed strong numbers in recent years. Around 20 girls participated two years ago and that number increased to 30 last year. Around 40 started the season and the team has around 30 wrestlers, Crebbin said.
The Wildcats have won their league duals throughout the season. They placed first at a tournament in Stanwood Dec. 7 and placed second at the Santa Slam that took place Dec. 21 at Juanita High School.
“Our goal isn’t to win tournaments. Our goal is to find competition and test ourselves,” Crebbin said, which will help wrestlers prepare for the postseason. “They’re getting good competition.”
Oak Harbor’s girls team will see a different state tournament in 2025. Previous years saw two tournaments take place – one for 4A and 3A schools and a second for smaller schools. This year each classification will have their own tournament, Crebbin said.
“I’m excited because I think we’ll get a lot of girls to state,” Crebbin said. The girls will compete in a district tournament comprised of 3A schools from the Northwest and Wesco Conferences and the top 10 will advance to state, which takes place Feb. 20-22 at the Tacoma Dome.
Oak Harbor has several wrestlers with experience competing at the state tournament. Senior Julia Gonzales, wrestling at 100 pounds, has competed twice at state. Senior Ambrea Habitan competed once. Egli and Hudson has competed twice, and Tupu has competed once.
Two other seniors on the Wildcats include Maddy Brooks at 170 pounds and Kady Ritz at 170 pounds.
Oak Harbor faced Mount Vernon and Ferndale Jan. 6 after the News-Times deadline.
Oak Harbor’s next tournament takes place Jan. 11 when the Wildcats host the Rock Island Rumble, which is in its second year. Crebbin said that 16 teams are committed to the tournament; he hopes to get the number of teams up to 20 before Saturday.
Photo by John Fisken
