Wrestling 2009-12-12 Spud Walley tournament at Sedro Woolley

The Oak Harbor wrestling team entered their first tournament of the season, the Spud Walley tournament hosted by Sedro Woolley. This is a high-caliber tournament with top teams from around the state coming from as far away as Wenatchee and Kelso. There was some very good wrestling.

Oak Harbor took 11 wrestlers with 3 finishing in the top 6.

Starting with the lightest weights, Corey Trimbur at 103 lbs. finished 5th overall with a 5-1 tournament record. He won his first match 14-2, lost his second match to the eventual 2nd place finisher, then won out, including a pin to capture 5th in just 1:28.

Brandon Strickland went out in the 112 pound bracket. He lost his first match by a close 4-0 score, whomped his opponent in the 2nd match 13-1 then got pinned late in his 3rd match.

Cody Fakkema, at 125 lbs, won his first in a high-scoring match, 15-11. In his 2nd match he faced one of the state's top ranked wrestlers from Orting, who was the tournament champ. Although Cody lost, he scored a respectable 5 points. Fakkema lost his 3rd match 8-1 to end his day.

Freshman Josh Crebbin was in the 135 lb bracket, a tough weight, for his first high school tournament and although he lost both his matches, he gained a lot of experience.

Colton Elliot, at 140 lbs, had ghost to compete against as well as his opponents. It was at the Spud Walley tournament last year that he broke his thumb in an early match and missed most of the season. The ghost was conquered early as were Colton's opponents. He pinned his man in the first round, won a close 4-3 match in the 2nd, then recorded another pin to advance to the championship round. There he fell to a 2-time state champ from Orting 6-2. Colton has a great season ahead of him.

At 145 lbs, sophomore Brandon Stratton won his first two matches, but lost the next two to finish in 4th place. One of his losses was to the eventual champion. Brandon looked good, getting one pin in his 4 matches.

Justin Everett's 160 lb matches were all decided by pinfall, but unfortunately only one was recorded by Justin. He won his first match but lost the next two.

Junior Corey Shannon filled the 171 lb spot. he lost his first match by pin and was forced to forfeit his 2nd match.

Zach Loescher weighed in to the 189 lb bracket and his first match was against the eventual 5th place finisher. Zach wrestled hard, but was giving up a lot of weight to his opponents. He should be more successful once he gets into the 171 lb weight class.

Drew Culver was back on the mat at 215 lbs after taking some time off from wrestling. In his first match things weren't looking good, but just over 3-1/2 minutes into his first match he got a great reverse and wound up pinning his opponent. It would be Drew's only win as he lost the next two matches and was eliminated.

Phil Rodgers at heavyweight wrestled a state placer from last year and was quickly pinned, and he lost his second match to end the day.

The wrestlers have their first home league meet Tuesday the 16th against Snohomish, and again on Thursday the 18th against Everett.


Two video clips from first round action are posted HERE.

34 photos of OH wrestlers in action are posted HERE.