Wrestling 2011-12-15 vs Lynnwood

Thursday the Wildcat wrestling team hosted their first home meet of the year against the Lynnwood Royal. The Royals, although without a lot of depth, came into the meet with 3 wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in 3A. The Wildcats had two, Jahleel Vester and Cody Fakkema.

There were 15 JV matches total, four of them exhibition matches featuring two Wildcats wrestling each other. Of the 11 matches against the Royals, Oak Harbor won 7, all by pin. Kekai Tarrant needed only 21 seconds to pin his opponent, and Kylene Ayers stuck her man 36 seconds into the final period. Other OH winners were Gage Perner, Josh Schrum, Alex Rutter, Nathan Pacheco and Ben Pralle. Exhibition winners were Sheyenne Sams and his sister Zaiha, Wiatt Charlesworth and CJ Shavers.

The varsity meet started with the 106 lb weight class, which Oak Harbor forfeited.

In the first match wrestled, freshman Jeremy Vester pinned Hayes in just 49 seconds.

At 120 lbs, 4th ranked sophomore Jahleel Vester took on 5th ranked senior Alex Basabe. While Jahleel scored points, Basabe stayed in control and won the match 11-4.

126 pounds also featured two ranked wrestlers. Cody Fakkema at 6th and Matt Calkins at 7th. Cody had to work, but with just 6 seconds left in the 2nd round, he got Calkins on his back for the pin, putting the OH team up 12-9.

Following that, 8th ranked Zach Calkins took on freshman Mark Johnston at 132 lbs. This was an exciting bout between two good wrestlers, Johnston grabbed and early 5-2 lead and held on to win 7-4.

At 138 lbs Ryuta Meany had little trouble with Latimere, sticking him near the end of the 2nd round. He was leading 11-1 at the time.

Nate Stanford wrestled at 145 lbs and needed just over a minute to pin Jaworski. Oak Harbor now had a commanding 27-9 lead.

Josh Crebbin wrestled Lord at 152 lbs and had some trouble. Lord won every period and ended the match with a tech fall, 20-5.

David Payne quickly got the 'Cats back on the winning track, pinning Medoza-Perez in the first round at 160 lbs.

At 170, Collin Higingbotham racked up the points, beating Anstice 15-3.

In the final match wrestled, Josh Orritt needed 1:09 to pin Due.

Lynnwood forfeited at 195 (Alonzo), 220 (Vail) and 285 (Quinday).

Oak Harbor won the meet 61-14.

The varsity team travels to Squalicum for the Graham Morin tournament on Saturday while the JV team heads to Everett. Both teams will be in Anacortes on Wednesday the 21st, then at home on January 3rd, hosting Glacier Peak.

Photos of JV and varsity action are posted HERE.

Video highlights of Rutter, Pacheco, Pralle, Johnston, Meany and Higingbotham are posted HERE.