RAEFORD — The Richmond County Schools middle school wrestling team kicked off its second season of existence with a pair of wins on the road against East and West Hoke middle schools last week.
Coached by Richard Kerekes and Andre Ellerbe, the RCS team is comprised of 48 wrestlers from Cordova, Ellerbe, Hamlet and Rockingham middle schools. In the program’s inaugural season last winter, Kerekes and company earned the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference title.
Back in action for the first time this year, the middle school Raiders defeated the West Hoke Tigers 87-15, before rounding out the day with a 72-35 victory over the East Hoke Eagles.
In the rout of West Hoke, Richmond saw 13 different wrestlers collect six points each by pinning their respective opponent.
Earning a pin were: Kingston Cipriani (76-pound, Hamlet), Aiden Rountree (98-pound, Ellerbe), Adam Estridge (106-pound, Cordova), Jesus Campos (113-pound, Cordova), Elijiah Hollingsworth (Hamlet), Linden Garcia (126-pound, Hamlet), Tykeem Ellerbe (138-pound, Ellerbe), Eric Greene (144-pound, Cordova), Braxton Jenks (149-pound, Cordova), Filix Guinn (170-pound, Cordova), Adrian Padron (180-pound, Cordova), Johnny Lunceford (220-pound, Cordova) and Joe Parsons (250-pound, Rockingham).
Rounding out the final nine points against West Hoke were Joseph Patterson (83-pound, Rockingham) and Lane Earney (160-pound, Cordova). Patterson picked up three points in a minor decision win, while Earney recorded six points by way of forfeit.
Finishing the day against the Eagles, the Raiders saw six wrestlers earn pins and six wrestlers win by forfeit.
Campos, Garcia, Ellerbe, Jenks, Greene and Guinn combined for 36 points with pinfall victories. Patterson, Rountree, Estridge, Padron, Lunceford and Parsons were awarded forfeit wins. All 12 wrestlers are off to a 2-0 start to begin the season.
The Raiders will return to the mat for their first home match of the season on Wednesday, starting at 4 p.m.
Head coach Richard Kerekes contributed to this article. To submit middle school scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
