We’re still days away from Atlantic City, but Saturday’s 157-pound final at the NJSIAA/IBEW Local 102 Region 1 Tournament made us feel like we were already there.
In a battle of state medalists and state-ranked standouts, Phillipsburg senior state runner-up Gavin Hawk (No. 2 at 157) defeated Bergen Catholic junior Joey Canova (No. 4) by 6-2 decision in a bout that the entire gym in West Milford stuck around for. Hawk trailed 2-1 entering the third period, but an escape, a takedown, and then one more escape after Canova’s second injury time call rounded out the five-point comeback.