The South Whidbey wrestling team traveled to a tournament at Mount Vernon on Saturday to square off against some of the best wrestlers in the state.

Chris Monell (189-pound weight class) led all Falcons with a fourth-place finish opposite Si Sharma of Anacortes.

“Even with a sore shoulder, Chris really wrestled well,” said Falcon coach Jim Thompson. “He took Sharma out with a fall halfway through the second round.”

South Whidbey’s Jeff Kunellis (112), Colton Vaughn (125) and Patrick Monell (160) all placed fifth, as did Evan Thompson (135), who was ahead 9-2 when he looked up and saw the scoreboard and figured he had the bout in the bag.

“He didn’t,” his father said ruefully. “The other kid turned him and Evan ended up losing in overtime. You live and learn. I hope.”

There are 14 weight classifications, and if a team forfeits in one, it loses six points. On Saturday, the Falcons had to accept five forfeits for 30 points.

“The team placed seventh out of eight,” Thompson said. “Burlington-Edison, a state powerhouse, won, followed by Blaine, Marysville-Pilchuck, Stanwood, Sequim and Anacortes. Those guys are all very good.”