Oak Harbor’s final dual meet couldn’t have worked more perfectly.
OHHS not only beat Mount Vernon 43-33, but got a win from every available senior in their final home performance.
“That was nice to get them all in the lineup,†OHHS head coach Mike Crebbin said. “Now we’re just trying to get healthy and ready for districts.â€
Six of the team’s seven seniors were able to wrestle and those six dominated.
Robert Lemme (130) started the streak of senior victories by making quick work of the Bulldogs’ Rafael Avila, pinning him 58 seconds into the first round.
Colin Blyther (135) followed that up with an exciting win in a back-and-forth battle with Brett Thompson. Trailing 9-5 midway through the second round, Blyther scored a two-point escape and near-fall before pinning Thompson with 15 seconds left in the round.
Jake Marriott (140) continued the streak of wins with a 12-0 major decision over Travis Gomez.
Jeff Lang (145), who is bouncing back after a mid-season battle with appendicitis, kept the wins rolling with a third-round pin over Connor Johnson, while Josh Stratton (160) earned a second round pin over Jerry Johnson.
Sean O’Brien (170), who returned mid-season after knee surgery in the fall, picked up a win by forfeit. The rest was bittersweet for Crebbin.
“It’s tough because he needs to get mat time to get in shape, but at the same time we need to make sure his knees are ready.â€
The only senior who wasn’t able to wrestle, Mark Radach, is still resting a collarbone injury. He should be ready for the district tournament.
The Wildcats also picked up wins from freshman Ben Page (125), who earned an 8-1 decision over Austin Smith and Miles Hartt, who had a forfeit at 152 pounds.
Oak Harbor’s victory put its final record at 2-6 in league and 4-6 overall. They are now preparing for the district tournament, Feb. 3-4 at Snohomish.
Oak Harbor 43, Mount Vernon 33
103-Koetje (MV) dec. Gronbach, 10-4; 112-Hausauer (MV) pinned Daniels, 0:41; 119-Solano (MV) won by forfeit; 125-Page (OH) dec. Smith, 8-1; 130-Lemme (OH) pinned Avila, 0:58; 135-Blyther (OH) pinned Thompson, 3:40; 140-Marriott (OH) won by major dec. over Gomez, 12-0; 145-Lang (OH) pinned Johnson, 5:05; 152-Hartt (OH) won by forfeit; 160-Stratton (OH) pinned Johnson, 2:37; 171-O’Brien (OH) won by forfeit; 189-Rabenstein (MV) pinned Renninger, 3:42; 215-Campbell (MV) pinned Schultz, 4:00; 275-Osburn (MV) pinned Corrales, 0:46.