But his veteran presence was essential on Tuesday afternoon, as Washleski bumped up a weight class and scored a key decision at 152 pounds in leading the Red Devils, ranked No. 11 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20, to a 36-27 victory over Warren Hills in a cross-divisional matchup of Skyland Conference rivals on New Year's Eve.
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| Central looks to be back in the sectional title hunt. |
Central (1-0), which owns a 45-13-1 lead in the all-time series dating to 1960 and has won the last five meetings since a 34-33 loss in 2014, opened the dual meet portion of the schedule by winning nine bouts, including Washleski's 13-7 decision over previously unbeaten Warren Hills sophomore Stephen Malia, who won his first John Goles Invitational title on Friday. An arm bar for three back points after an early takedown was a pivotal in the opening period.
"That's my thing [the bar]," said Washleski, a two-time state qualifier and district champion last season. "A pin there would have been nice."
This match was also about who didn't wrestle as Warren Hills (1-1) was missing six starters, including two solid contributors in the middle weights in seniors Logan Nauta (undisclosed reasons) and Geir Nemeth (skin) at 132 and 138. Senior Nick Hildebrant (170) and freshman Cody Miller (145) have been dealing with knee injuries, while upper weights Ryan Galka (ankle) and freshman Jarett Pantuso (collar bone) have yet to see action.
Making matters worse, junior Logan Polcari was forced to default with a head injury he sustained during the third period of a tight bout at 220 against Hunterdon Central senior Brandon Donoghue.
"We're always going to err on the side of caution," second-year Blue Streaks coach Dave Sbriscia said of halting that matchup. "You can't be too careful. That was a match where we were going to give up three [team points] or get three."
Central, which has been without sophomore upper weight Vincent Brito (broken wrist), took the opportunity to sit some starters, including sophomore Tanner Peake (5-4 at 138), with the outcome settled after junior Curtis Wheatley's match-clinching pin in the 13th bout at 132. Washleski knows he must assume that key leadership role if Central is to make another run at the Group 5 title.
"It's a lot different. I still want to act like I'm part of the youngins," he said. "We have a lot of young kids. We'll be right there at the top [in Group 5] again."
Senior Anthony Romaniello (160) and junior Norman Cella (170) followed Washleski's lead with a pin and a decision as Central jumped out to an 18-0 lead five bouts in. Sophomore Nick Canonica also won another featured bout at 120 -- getting a second-period reversal and riding out senior Greg Slivka in the third period for a 2-1 victory.
"We're starting to look at match counts and we saw an opportunity to sit guys," said coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm, whose Red Devils will get another test against Delaware Valley on Friday. "We knew [Warren Hills] was banged up. We still have some things to clean up. This was the first dual of the year. We have a lot of inexperienced guys in the lineup who need to get some seasoning and develop. I thought overall our kids wrestled well."
Warren Hills is hoping to at least get Nauta and Nemeth back for Friday's road match at North Warren. The rest of the injured starters are at least a week or two away, according to Sbriscia.
"I was very happy with the way our kids wrestled and the guys who had to step in for us," Sbriscia said. "We have to get all the pieces in the right spots [for February and the sectional tournament]. I like to win matches in December, but the goal is to hang banners [on the gym wall].
HUNTERDON CENTRAL 36, WARREN HILLS 27
145 -- Jr. Max Rosse (1-0), HC, d. Jr. Reese Manfredi (0-1), 6-3.
152 -- Jr. Colton Washleski (6-2), HC, d. So. Stephen Malia (7-1), 13-7.
160 -- Sr. Anthony Romaniello (7-2), HC, p. Fr. Luke Dugan (0-1), 1:40.
170 -- Jr. Norman Cella (5-2), HC, d. So. Owen Frizzell (5-2), 8-2.
182 -- Sr. Chase Nehila (3-2), HC, d. Jr. Brandon Riggs (1-6), 7-1.
195 -- So. Michael Galka (2-2), WH, p. So. Nicholas Lewis (2-4), 3:32.
220 -- Sr. Brandon Donoghue (3-3), HC, injury default, Jr. Logan Polcari (5-4), 4:36.
285 -- So. Tyler McCatharn (7-1), WH, p. Jr. Tim Suk (0-5), 1:10.
106 -- Fr. Henry Wilkinson (2-4), HC, d. Fr. Kevin Riedinger (1-5), 6-0.
113 -- Fr. Shawn Redfield (4-4), WH, p. So. Christopher Dill (0-1), 1:12.
120 -- So. Nick Canonica (5-3), HC, d. Sr. Greg Slivka (5-3), 2-1.
126 -- So. Jared Lee (7-1), WH, d. So. Aidan Portnoy (3-2), 1-0.
132 -- Jr. Curtis Wheatley (4-3), HC, p. So. Ryan Carey (0-1), 1:20.
138 -- So. Max Pagano (1-2), WH, p. So. Steven Klein (0-1), 1:34.
Records -- Hunterdon Central 1-0; Warren Hills 1-1.
Official -- Joe Benvenuto.
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