LAURINBURG — Continuing its non-conference schedule early in the season, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling program faced two more opponents Wednesday and picked up two wins in the process.
The Raiders traveled to Scotland High School and faced the host Fighting Scots, as well as Terry Sanford High School in the tri-match.
Thanks to a fuller lineup, Richmond opened with a 45-36 win over the Bulldogs. That was followed by a 42-35 victory over Scotland.
A total of nine different wrestlers earned at least one victory, while six Raiders went 2-0 on the night.
Earning a pair of pinfall victories were freshman Axel Nunez (126-pounds), junior Hayden Smith (157-pounds) and senior Jordan Hamilton (215-pounds).
Sophomore Dylan Nunez (120-pounds) was credited with two forfeit wins, sophomore Jacob Hall (165-pounds) had a decision victory and a forfeit win, and senior Jason Gainey (190-pounds) pinned one opponent and was awarded a forfeit.
Wrestlers to pick up one win in their two bouts were freshman Kaleb Hairston (113-pounds), junior Konner Gardner (175-pounds) and junior Samuel James (285-pounds).
“These were two big wins against teams that might not be in our conference but that are tough teams that we wrestle well against,” head coach Andre’ Ellerbe said. “It’s always good to get a win against a good rival opponent.
“A lot of our guys stepped up by making weight,” he added. “Having a fuller lineup allows us to give ourselves a better chance at winning and not just giving up points, and that was evident tonight.”
Heavyweights secure win against Terry Sanford
Starting with the 113-pound weight class, Richmond took a quick 18-0 lead against the Bulldogs. Hairston opened the match with a pinfall victory just 16 seconds into the first period.
Dylan Nunez added six points with a forfeit win and Axel Nunez got the first of his two pins when he pinned his opponent with 1:31 left in the third period.
Three losses by pin and a forfeit loss by Richmond gave Terry Sanford a 24-18 lead. Smith and Hall helped put the Raiders back in the lead with a pinfall victory and a decision, respectively.
Smith took just 54 seconds to hold his opponent to the mat and Hall survived all three rounds with an 11-7 win.
After the Bulldogs added six points to retake the lead 30-27, it was Richmond’s three heaviest weight classes that brought the win home.
Gainey and Hamilton both recorded first-period pins to combine for a dozen points. In his bout, Gainey took just 48 seconds to win and Hamilton sealed the deal with 34.4 seconds remaining in the first.
For good measure, James took care of business in the heavyweight contest, pinning his Bulldog counterpart with exactly a minute to go in the second round.
Late wins flip script in win over Scotland
Similar to their opening match, the Raiders used a late scoring surge to defeat Scotland by seven points.
The Nunez brothers gave Richmond a 12-0 lead when Dylan Nunez was awarded his second forfeit and Axel Nunez notched his second pinfall 55 seconds into the first period.
Losing their next four matches, three of which were by pin, the Raiders found themselves down 24-12. Smith and Hall started the rally in the next two bouts, which resulted in a pin and a forfeit, respectively.
Smith upended his opponent near the midway point of the first period and worked his way to his second pin with 27.6 seconds to go. Hall’s forfeit win tied the score 24-24.
Gardner and Gainey each didn’t have a Fighting Scot to face and their combined 12 points via forfeits proved to be enough for the win.
Leading by a dozen points, it was Hamilton who added six insurance points when he finished his undefeated outing with another pin. Out-muscling his rival wrestler, Hamilton made a quick move and notched the victory with 2.8 seconds remaining in the first period.
“The guys wrestled well and did the moves that we’ve been working on in practice,” Ellerbe closed. “That was the main thing tonight and nobody tried any cowboy moves. I’m very proud of all the guys.
“There are still some things we want to tweak before we face some really tough competition this weekend.”
Geiger wins twice in girls’ matches
Freshman Gabriyel Geiger (120-pounds) was the lone female wrestler for Richmond to compete Wednesday, and she, too, went 2-0.
In her first match against Terry Sanford, Geiger won via pinfall inside the final 10 seconds of the opening period. Scotland didn’t have a 120-pound opponent, so Geiger was awarded a forfeit victory.
Richmond (5-8) travels to Lumberton High School for another team invitational Saturday. Matches will begin at 9 a.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Wednesday’s matches soon.
