Wrestling 2013-02-16 - State Championships

For the first time in a long time, the Oak Harbor Wildcat wrestling team finished in the top 10 at the annual Mat Classic last weekend at the Tacoma Dome.

OH started the tournament with 11 wrestlers - 9 boys and 2 girls.  At the start of the second day of the tournament, only 4 were left, 2 in the winner's bracket.

Cody Fakkema finished in 7th place in state, defeating teammate Jahleel Vester 4-1 in the 7th/8th place match.  It was the 3rd time in the post season the two had met on the mat.

CJ Shavers lost his first match Saturday but came back with a win to wrestle for 3rd place.  His match didn't go well, but for a wrestler who was unranked and essentially unknown at the beginning of the season, it was a spectacular finish!

Josh Crebbin won his opening match by pin, setting up a championship match against Meadowdale's Smith.  The two had met twice previously this season, with Smith winning both.  In this championship match, Smith got the upper hand and held the lead 4-2 with time running low.  The two wrestlers were both on their feet, and Smith was able to hold off Crebbin's takedown attempts until time expired.

Video highlights are HERE


Saturday's photos are posted HERE.


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