MONROE — Back on the mat for another weekend full of wrestling, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling team competed in the David M. Smith Duals at Monroe High School Saturday.
One of 20 programs to participate, the Raiders finished the team invitational with a 2-3 record and placed 11th overall.
The Raiders earned a 38-21 win over Monroe in their third match of the day and ended the event with a 47-18 victory against Ardrey Kell High School in the 11th-place contest.
Richmond suffered losses to East Mecklenburg (50-27), Porter Ridge (42-36) and Marvin Ridge (46-33) high schools.
Four Raiders, all of whom have headlined the team throughout the season, recorded perfect 5-0 records. They were sophomore Dylan Nunez (120-pounds), freshman Axel Nunez (126-pounds), senior Jason Gainey (190-pounds) and senior Jordan Hamilton (215-pounds).
Dylan Nunez opened the tournament against East Mecklenburg with a pin. He earned a technical fall in each of his next two matches against Porter Ridge and Monroe, and followed that with a major decision against Marvin Ridge.
Ending his day, Dylan Nunez recorded his third tech fall in Richmond’s match with Ardrey Kell.
Axel Nunez picked up his five wins four different ways, beginning with a major decision in the opening match. He then won by decision and forfeit, respectively, against Porter Ridge and Monroe.
In his final two matches, Axel Nunez defeated his Marvin Ridge opponent via tech fall and pinned his Ardrey Kell opponent.
Gainey was efficient in all five of his matches, earning a team-leading five pinfall victories.
Hamilton improved his overall record on the season to 29-1 with his five victories. He reaped the benefit of forfeit wins when Richmond wrestled Porter Ridge, Monroe and Ardrey Kell.
Against his other two opponents, Hamilton started with a tech fall against East Mecklenburg. In his penultimate match of the day, he pinned his Marvin Ridge opponent.
Also having a successful day was junior Hayden Smith (150-pounds), who recorded four wins.
Smith finished the day 4-1 and rattled off four straight victories after losing his opening match to East Mecklenburg. He recorded a major decision and a pin against Porter Ridge and Monroe, respectively, before ending the day with two forfeit victories.
Recording three wins via two pins and a decision was junior Konner Gardner in the 175-pound weight class.
Senior Esaias Brunson (285-pounds) and sophomore Gabbi Geiger (113-pounds) each had two forfeit wins, and sophomore NaSean McBride (144-pounds) finished with a pair of pinfall victories.
The Raiders (13-20, 1-2 MSC) will return to Mid-South Conference action Wednesday with a dual at Pine Forest High School. Matches will start at 5 p.m.
Sports editor's note: This article was updated to correct Jason Gainey's match results at 9:51 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
