BENNETTSVILLE — Wednesday’s meeting between the Richmond Senior and Marlboro County wrestling teams came down to the final bout of the evening.
The non-conference match between the Raiders and Bulldogs was determined in the heavyweight contest, which didn’t go Richmond’s way and led to a 42-36 loss.
Marlboro County took a 36-6 lead through the first eight matches before the Raiders rallied to win five matches in a row to tie the score at 36 points.
Of the 13 total weight classes that competed, three wrestlers from each team were awarded a forfeit victory and six points.
The Raiders collected 18 points when freshman Axel Nunez (126-pounds), junior Hayden Smith (157-pounds) and sophomore Jacob Hall (165-pounds) didn’t have an opponent to face.
Richmond gave up the same amount of points with no wrestlers in the 113, 132 and 138-pound matches. The 106-pound weight class was a double forfeit and didn’t award points to either team.
“I saw a lot of great things from our veteran guys tonight,” head coach Andre’ Ellerbe said. “They set the tone for us and got us a lot of points when we needed them. And they showed our newer guys what it takes to win.
“Our younger guys are still trying to find their way on the mat,” he added. “But I’m glad we’re able to see these things against non-conference teams. Hopefully we can get the simple mistakes fixed before the next semester starts.”
Nunez’s six points were the first points scored for Richmond that kept the deficit at 36-6. Smith and Hall started the five consecutive victories when they were credited with a forfeit win.
Relying on a trio of veterans, the Raiders continued their rally and rattled off three straight pinfall victories to knot the score. Earning six points apiece were junior Konner Gardner and seniors Jason Gainey and Jordan Hamilton.
In the 175-pound bout, Gardner took a 7-5 lead after the first period. With 58 seconds remaining in the second period, Gardner pinned his opponent after a pivotal reversal to make it 36-24.
Gainey kept the momentum going in the 190-pound match and wasted no time to collect his six points. Pulling his opponent near the edge of the mat, Gainey flipped him on his shoulders and got the pin with 28.9 seconds remaining in the first.
Bullying his way to a second-round pinfall win, Hamilton was strategic in the 215-pound contest. Taking a 6-2 lead after the first period, Hamilton wore down his opponent before pinning him with 13 seconds to go in the second.
The wins for Gainey and Hamilton were their first of the season since joining the team after the football season. Gardner collected his third win in three matches since also wrapping up with football.
Giving it everything he had in the 285-pound match, junior Samuel James came up just short of giving the Raiders the lead for good. Going to the third period, James was pinned with 1:39 left on the clock.
Other wrestlers in action for the Raiders were freshman Brandon Ingram (120-pounds, pinfall loss), freshman JaFourTae Bridges (144-pounds, pinfall loss) and junior Atticus Wise (150-pounds, pinfall loss).
Lady Raider wrestlers split matches
Prior to the boys’ wrestling match, two Lady Raider wrestlers hit the mat for Richmond.
Sophomore Gabriyel Geiger (120-pounds) went three periods and earned a 10-6 decision. In her match, junior Brooklyn Windley (190-pounds) suffered a loss by pinfall near the midway point of the first period.
The Raiders (2-4) are hosting the Raider Riot Rumble, a six-team invitational, Saturday. Matches are slated to start at 9 a.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish photos of Wednesday’s match soon.
