ROCKINGHAM — An accomplishment three years in the making finally happened for senior wrestler Joey Nicholson on Saturday.
During his first of five matches in the season-opening Raider Rumble, Nicholson became Richmond Senior High School’s all-time wins leader. He entered the day with 118 career wins through his first three seasons, then tied with former Raider Joshua Pryce.
Richmond opened its day against Fairmont High School, and Nicholson, who moved up a weight class from last season to the 120-pound group, saw his first opponent in Anydrean Cromartie.
Nicholson didn’t take long to earn the first of his five wins on the day, defeating Cromartie by pinfall in the first round. With win No. 119 officially in the books, Richmond head coach Earl Nicholson, also Joey’s father, stopped tournament play to celebrate the momentous occasion.
At center mat, Coach Nicholson acknowledged his son’s milestone to an ovation of applause, and the two were met by Joey’s mother, Rasheda Nicholson. As recognition for his program-leading win, Joey Nicholson received a celebratory wrestling belt.
“It feels pretty good knowing I now have the all-time record,” Nicholson smiled after his historic win. “But now I want to keep adding on to that record. My mindset was to just go out there and win, do what I know how to do and not make any mistakes.
“(Cromartie) was strong and had good technique,” he added of his opponent. “But I used his strength against him and tired him out. It’s really cool to have my dad as my coach because he’s taught me everything I know about wrestling.”
Earl Nicholson, a Richmond wrestling alumni, finished his high school career with 51 total wins. He noted his team didn’t wrestle in 20 events per season like today’s teams do, but he said it would be exciting if Joey won out the rest of the way this year and triple his wins total.
Joey Nicholson had pinfalls against Cromartie, Jahlan Leak (Scotland High School) and De’Andre Nesbitt (Lumberton High School). He completed his five-win day with a pair of technical falls against Anson High School’s Jackson Forbes (16-0) and West Brunswick High School’s Bryson Taylor (22-4).
“I didn’t feel the emotions of this until it was about to happen,” Earl Nicholson said. “It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had. I’ve been imagining this since he was three. It’s a wonderful feeling.
“(Cromartie) was battling pretty good and I let Joey take him down and loosen him up a little bit,” he added. “That burned him out, and on the last takedown I called for the pin and he got him.”
With his five wins Saturday, Joey Nicholson now sits undefeated this season and has 123 career wins. He’ll look to add to his impressive resume next Saturday at Asheboro High School.
