Home Local Sports Raiders recognize 7 senior wrestlers in regular-season finale

Raiders recognize 7 senior wrestlers in regular-season finale

Left to right: Louis Fernandez, Amir Martin, Messiah Shaw, Gael Onesto, Jaxson Martin, Naaman Perakis and Urijah McDonald. (Kyle Pillar, sports editor)

HAMLET — In its lone home match of the season, the Richmond wrestling program recognized its seven seniors on Wednesday.

Closing their regular season with a pair of Sandhills Athletic Conference matches, the Raiders came up short against Hoke County and Scotland high schools.

Prior to the opening match between the Bucks and Scots, Richmond head coach Andre’ Ellerbe introduced the seniors. Escorted by family members, friends, teammates and coaches, the Raiders made their way to the mat.

This year’s senior class included: Louis Fernandez, Amir and Jaxson Martin, Urijah McDonald, Gael Onesto, Naaman Perakis and Messiah Shaw.

“This group of seniors’ contributions to our program go beyond anything I can mention,” Ellerbe said. “There have been times where Naaman has helped me show a move to the team in the way that he or others may do it.

“Jaxson is a master at reading legs and some of our kids are able to do that better just from working with him. Messiah has one of the best double leg takedowns I’ve ever seen, and again our program has benefited from his help. All of our seniors are special and have made an impact.”

Senior Messiah Shaw battles his Hoke County opponent in the second round of his win. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)

Tough Hoke County team hands Raiders loss

Opening with Hoke County, the Raiders suffered a 56-18 loss to a team Ellerbe called “one of the top three” in the conference.

Trailing 38-0, a string of three wins by Richmond’s middleweights got them on the board. Shaw (170-pounds) earned a pinfall victory over Emmanuel Bratcher in the second round.

Leading 2-0 after the first period, Shaw boosted his lead to seven points before holding Bratcher to the mat with 27 seconds left on the clock. 

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Freshman Jason Gainey (180-pounds) followed in the next match with Richmond’s second pin against the Bucks. He worked out to a 6-4 lead against Orion Becton before pinning him with 1:29 to go in the second round.

The Raiders’ other six points came when freshman Jordan Hamilton (195-pounds) earned a forfeit win, the first of two he’d earn during the meet.

Freshman Jason Gainey works Orion Becton into a pinning position in the 180-pound match. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)

Better outcomes against Fighting Scots despite loss

Faring better against Scotland, the Raiders put more points on the board but still lost by a 42-37 decision.

Richmond registered four pins (24 points), a forfeit (6 points), one major decision (4 points) and one decision (3 points).

Able to rebound from the Hoke County match, Fernandez (138-pounds), Jaxson Martin (145-pounds), Perakis (152-pounds), Amir Martin (160-pounds) and McDonald (285-pounds) were able to collect a senior night victory.

Fernandez started the scoring with a pin over Devin Ellerbe, followed by a pin from Jaxson Martin against Darion Harris. Amir Martin chipped in three points when he outlasted Anthony Pate in an 11-9 decision.

Sophomore Jackson Hamilton joined the win column in the 180-pound match, pinning Wyatt Locklear. Jordan Hamilton was awarded his second forfeit win of the night and McDonald capped the scoring with a major decision win over Joshua Stone 11-2.

Senior Amir Martin was one of several seniors to earn a win on senior night. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)

The Raiders (11-11, 2-4 SAC) will compete in the SAC conference championship tournament on Saturday at Hoke County High School in preparation for regionals.



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Kyle Pillar is a 22-time North Carolina Press Association award-winning sports editor with The Richmond Observer. Follow the sports department on X @ROSports_ for the best in-depth coverage of Richmond County sports.