LAURINBURG — A week after recording its worst performance of the season, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling team bounced back with a perfect record Saturday. And to top things off, history was made in the process.
Competing in the Joel McCanna Invitational at Carver Middle School, named for the long-time Scotland High School wrestling coach and 2014 North Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, the Raiders swept their three opponents to improve to 29-26 on the 2018-19 campaign.
But it was during the middle match against North Moore High School that junior wrestler Joseph Nicholson etched his name in the Richmond history books. According to Raider head coach Earl Nicholson, Joseph Nicholson became the only Raider wrestler in the program’s history to earn his 100th career win before his senior season.
Nicholson, who is the Raiders’ No. 1 wrestler and competes in the 113-pound weight class, reached the century mark in wins when he pinned North Moore’s Landon Hussey in the first round. He was also one of six Richmond wrestlers to post a perfect 3-0 day, as he also pinned St. Pauls High School’s Brianna Gray and earned a forfeit win against Southern Lee High School.
The other five wrestlers to post perfect records were freshman Andres Sanchez (106-pound), sophomore Bryant Coll (126-pound), junior Steven Morales (138-pound), junior Austin Gallops (152-pound) and sophomore Kaden Walker (160-pound).
Another headline from the tournament was the number of forfeit victories for the Raiders, as they were awarded 21 total forfeit wins across their three matches. The North Moore Mustangs only brought four wrestlers to the meet, and saw 10 forfeits go to the Raiders, helping secure a 77-6 win for Richmond.
The same went for the match against Southern Lee, a 66-12 Richmond win, as the Cavaliers brought just five wrestlers and granted eight more forfeit wins for the Raiders. St. Pauls only surrendered three forfeits, as they brought nine wrestlers.
In a much tighter match against the Bulldogs, a pin by Nicholson over Gray in the final match of the day eliminated a four-point deficit to secure Richmond a 42-40 victory.
“You hate forfeits for the fact that the guys don’t get the mat time they would normally get, especially for our younger guys,” Nicholson said. “But it’s a good thing because it gives them a win and a little confidence. Forfeit wins also count for (qualifying for) regionals.
“The big thing is that the team went 3-0 today,” he continued. “We can start practice next week with a good feeling, unlike last week when we went 1-4.”
Richmond added 11 non-forfeit wins to its stat sheet Saturday, including 10 pins and one technical fall. Sanchez earned the 15-0 technical fall win over North Moore’s Justin Welch, while Gallops, Morales and freshman heavyweight Ahmad Shelton (285-pound) each notched two pins apiece.
Shelton went 2-1 on the day, pinning Bradon Thompson (North Moore) and Jonathan Watts (Southern Lee). Morales made quick work of his two opponents, holding to the mat Chris Martinez (Southern Lee) and Tristan Webb (St. Pauls).
Gallops pinned Southern Lee’s Kaden Edybum before ending his afternoon with an unusual pin against Corban Winkle, which he rolled over his opponent and pinned him by sitting on him.
Austin Gallops pins St. Pauls’ Corban Winkle Saturday, one of his two pins on the day.
It was also the first time since before Christmas break that Coach Nicholson and the Raiders were 100 percent healthy and fully staffed.
“Austin has been out for three weeks with injuries and illness, so it was good to get him back in the mode,” Nicholson shared. “He had a tough match against (Winkle), who is a pretty good wrestler.
“Joey had a good day,” he added. “Andres and Bryant were big for us, too. Steven has also been out with injuries, and he wrestled hurt today, but finished 3-0. Ahmad has been my only heavyweight who shows up to practice and does what he’s supposed to do, so I gave him a shot today.”
With their 3-0 days, Joseph Nicholson and Gallops improved their season records to 33-2 and 26-3, respectively. It was also the team’s first time this season posting a perfect record at a tournament.
Richmond will return to Sandhills Athletic Conference action Wednesday, Jan. 9, as it’ll host Jack Britt and Seventy-First high schools. Matches will begin at 6 p.m.
