Wrestling 2011-01-27 vs Lynnwood

Senior night in high school sports is supposed to be an emotional night, and it was at Oak Harbor High School Thursday when the wrestling team went up against Lynnwood. After saying thanks to the graduating seniors and their parents - Captains Corey Trimbur and Steven Souza, Bryan Dillaman, Kyle Mellow, and Bailey Martinez, along with managers Holly Hernandez, Stephanie Bigelow and McKenzie McCormack, things got tense on the mat.

Lynnwood started out by jumping to a 24-0 lead on 3 pins and a forfeit. In those early matches, Lynnwood put on the mat two top-ranked wrestlers. At 112 lbs, Vester went up against #11 ranked A Basabe and Walter Castillo, our #3 guy at 119 lbs, was against #10 ranked Z. Calkins who finished 8th in state last year. Jahleen went deep into the 2nd round and Walter went to the 3rd round, wrestling hard and impressing the coaches with their determination.

OH got on the board when Nathaniel Stanford got a first round pin, as did Devin Jensen, then OH earned 18 straight team points on 3 Lynnwood forfeits, putting the Wildcats on top 30-28.

Now things got tense. Jeremy Alonzo got pinned, putting the Royals back on top 36-34, Hunter Vail got a quick 22-second pin so OH was back in the lead 36-34. Next up was Kyle Mellow, a first-year wrestler who had not won a match at home yet. If Kyle scored either a tech fall or pin, Oak Harbor would win the meet outright. If Kyle lost, Corey Trimbur, the final wrestler, would have to get win for a team win. If Kyle got pinned, Corey would need to get a major decision to tie and Tech Fall or Pin to win.

All the concern was unfounded. Kyle stepped up on Senior Night and pinned his opponent in front of the home crowd with 8 seconds left in 1st period. Trimbur then cleaned things up with his own 1st round pin and Oak Harbor won the meet 48-34.

In JV action, winners were Brittany Peppel (pin, 3:58), Athan Taisague (pin, 3:05), Sheyenne Sams (11-2), Cayden Cosper (pin 5:11). He was wrestling Alex Rutter and was down 9-11 when he got the pin. Both wrestlers did well and provided an exciting match for the crowd. Jennifer Fremd won by pin (1:24) as did Justin Everett (3:41).

Next up for the wrestlers are the district tournaments next weekend. They boys travel to Sedro-Wooley on the 4th and 5th while the girls are at Squalicum.

The following weekend the girls regionals are at Sedro while the boys are at Glacier Peak.

Video highlights are here, including Kyle Mellow's big pin in the varsity 285 match.

Over 100 photos are posted HERE.