Phillips earns fifth-place

TACOMA - Colfax's lone representative at the Feb. 17-18 Mat Wrestling Classic in Tacoma, Cooper Phillips, earned fifth-place in the boys 1B/2B 120-lb. weight class.

Phillips started the tournament on Feb. 17 with a bye, instantly advancing to the quarterfinals of the first-place bracket against Cohen Hartley of Adna High School.

Phillips pinned Hartley in just 40 seconds, advancing to the semifinals of the bracket against Ivan Bailey of Kalama High School.

Phillips wasn't able to get the advantage over Bailey, and succumbed to a fall in 3:43.

After the loss to Bailey, Phillips would be wrestling in the third/fourth place bracket.

To advance to the match for the bronze, Phillips would have to wrestle Isaac Rodriguez of Mabton.

It was another competitive match for Phillips, but Rodriguez ultimately got the win via fall in 2:43, sending Phillips to the fifth/sixth place match against a familiar rival.

Against Sam Drake of Kettle Falls, Phillips would win in arguably his most competitive match of the tournament, taking the victory via 16-8 majority decision to secure fifth place for himself and for Colfax the weight class.