Wrestling 2012-01-12 vs Everett

Thursday night at OHHS two unbeated teams matched up for what was likely to be the WESCO 3A championship on the line.

Everett was ranked #7 in 3A and #16 in the state across all classifications and had two wrestlers currently ranked as #1 in 3A.

Oak Harbor came into the meet with a #8 and #9 ranked wrestlers, but missing their 3rd ranked wrestler and 3 other varsity men due to medical issues.

The night started with #9 ranked Mark Johnston vs #1 ranked Jessie Lopez, and that match ended with Lopez ahead 11-3. Everett also won the next match by major decision to take an 8-0 lead. Sheyenne Sams and Josh Crebbin then both pinned their opponents, putting OH ahead 12-8.

Following 4 straight losses, the Wildcats were down 30-12, but a pair of forfeits to the Wildcat heavyweights closed the gap to 30-24.

Dropping to the 106 weight class, Everett fielded Justine Palabrica, currently #3 in state against Tricia Desquitado. Tricia wrestled well but was pinned, putting Everett up 36-24.

At 113 lbs, Jeremy Vester hit the mat against Bagdadi. Bagadadi took a 5-0 lead into the 3rd round, but an escape by Vester, a penalty point for stalling, then a takedown made it 5-4. With time running out, Jeremy needed a takedown for the win, but the match was stopped with 3 seconds left due to Everett blood, and it turned out to be 2 seconds too little, as Jeremy took down his opponent just after the buzzer ending the match.

Brother Jahleel (ranked #8) made up for the loss by pinning his opponent in just 54 seconds, but Everett still led 39-30 with just one match left.

Ben Pralle wrestled one of his best matches this year, but also came up just seconds short of winning, as opponent Norton won 9-8.

The JV matches were exciting, with two matches standing out. Ewing took on Everett's Walkley, and it was a back and forth battle all the way. With time running out, Ewing was on top but down by one point, 13-14. He tried his best to turn his opponent and get near-fall points, but the buzzer sounded before the official started his count. As the wrestlers shook hands, even the referee applauded their efforts.

The other match was Holloman vs Turner. It was Holloman's second match of the day, having been pinned in the first match of the day. She wasted no time at all getting Turner on his back and getting back points, but Turner held her off until the end of the period. In the second, Hollman needed just 30 seconds to turn her opponent and record an emotional pin.

Other JV winners Thursday night were Scrum (12-7), King (pin), Adamson, Tarrant and B. Johnston.

The wrestlers travel to Renton Friday night for a double-dual fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer, and on Saturday the varsity squad goes to Mercer Island and the JV team to Everett for tournaments.

The Wildcats return home on Thursday, Jan 26th for senior night against Marysville-Getchell.

Video clips from the meet are posted HERE.

Photos are posted HERE.