A packed house watched the hosts clinch the win in the final bout.
Washington 28, Phillipsburg 24 - Pin Cancer summer match - Rapid Recap
In a match that, as Phillipsburg coach Dave Post said, "felt more like January than July," Washington (Warren Hills by another name) pulled off its first win in the summer series wrestled for the fifth time Thursday night.
The match, which dedicates all proceeds to the Pin Cancer charity, was moved inside from the Warren Hills football stadium to the Warren Hills Auxiliary Gym, which was packed with 800-plus raucous fans in a standing-room only situation. The match could not be held in the Blue Streaks' main gym because it was being renovated.
The fans saw a terrific, tight match that saw the hosts jump out to a 25-6 lead before Phillipsburg roared back to pull within 25-24 before the final bout at 285 pounds. There, Washington senior Taylin Zafis hit a takedown with 18 seconds left for a 3-2 win to clinch the triumph.
"I can't put into words how I feel," said Zafis, who was feted by his teammates loudly and enthusiastically. "It's just so awesome that I was able to put myself into a position to win this match."
While this was just an exhibition and several top wrestlers were not available, it is worth noting that Washington/Warren Hills hadn't defeated Phillipsburg on the mats in a dual since 1990.
"We're not going to be hanging any banners, but any time you compete, you want to win," Washington coach Jarrett Hosbach said. "I was really happy with the way our kids wrestled."
Turning point: Phillipsburg not earning bonus points at 190 and 220 set the stage for Zafis' dramatic win. P'burg's Justin Caraballo appeared to have Zafis taken down with 40 seconds left in the third period but referee Frank Leitner ruled it out of bounds. "To tell you the truth, I thought he had it," Zafis said. It was that kind of bout.
Top performers: Chalk up a huge night for Washington's Nauta family. Freshman Logan and junior Cameron won one-point bouts at 112 and 140 with third-period points - Cameron's defeat of Lance Wissing might have been the surprise of then night -- and senior Zach won 5-1 at 157. Nine team points from three brothers - a family victory.
What it means: As Zafis said, a huge confidence boost for him and the Blue Streaks. But more important, a great triumph for the Pin Cancer charity via the terrific job everybody at Warren Hills did to ,turn an outside event to an indoor one on just four hours notice. Post couldn't praise the parents and officials at Warren Hills enough. On this night, everybody came through for the "great cause," as Hosbach said.
Pin Cancer summer Match
Washington 28, Phillipsburg 24
105 pounds: Jr. Cullen Day, P, p. Fr. Greg Slivka, 0:53
112: Fr. Logan Nauta, W, d. So. Travis Jones, 8-7
119: Jr. Kyle Wulff, W, p. Sr. Tyris Manley, 4:22
125: So. Cody Harrison, W, md. So. Brenden Fox, 10-0
130: Jr. Matt Valli, W, d. So. Kyle Tino, 9-4
135: So. Pedro Cruz, W, d. Fr. Ryan Mitzak, 2-1
140: Jr. Cameron Nauta, W, d. Jr. Lance Wissing, 4-3
147: Sr. Zach Nauta, W, d. So. Jayson Zinsmeister, 5-1
155: Jr. Brian Meyer, P, p. Sr. Rashon Ward-Taylor, 2:22
167: Jr. Shamyr Brodders, P, d. Sr. Kyle Henderson, 11-4
177: So. Austin Roth, P, d. Sr. Ryan Beckler, 4-1
190: Sr. Drew Horun, P, d. So. Nick Galka, 4-2
220: Sr. Robert Melise, P, d. Sr. Brady Oberly, 5-1
285: Sr. Taylin Zafis, W, d. Sr. Justin Caraballo, 3-2
Referees: Frank Leitner and Chip Castner
Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.