LUMBERTON — Facing another slate of tough competition over the weekend, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling program split its four matches.
One of 11 teams competing in the Border War Duals hosted by Lumberton High School, the Raiders went 2-2 on the day.
Seniors Jason Gainey (190-pounds) and Jordan Hamilton (215-pounds) were the only two Raiders to go undefeated, picking up a 4-0 record in the process. Gainey had four pins, while Hamilton had three pins and a forfeit win.
Sophomore Dylan Nunez (120-pounds) and freshman Axel Nunez (126-pounds) each went 3-1.
Richmond defeated Fairmont and Douglas Byrd high schools and fell to the host Pirates and were edged by a point by South Brunswick High School.
“This was another really good day for the team,” head coach Andre’ Ellerbe said. “We knew we’d be facing some of our toughest competition so far this season and I’m pleased with splitting our matches. We knew we could beat South Brunswick, but we had some things not go our way.
“I was also impressed with how well some of the guys hung in there against Lumberton,” he added. “Jordan, Jason, Dylan and Axel all had a great day and it’s rewarding for them to pick up so many wins against other opponents who are quality wrestlers.”
Largest team win comes against Fairmont
The Raiders’ biggest margin of victory Saturday came in a 48-10 win over Fairmont. Richmond benefitted greatly from an incomplete roster by the Golden Tornadoes.
A total of five Raiders combined for 30 points via forfeits — Dylan Nunez (120), Axel Nunez (126), freshman JaFourTae Bridges (144-pounds), junior Atticus Wise (150-pounds) and junior Konner Gardner (175-pounds).
Richmond’s three heaviest weight classes were responsible for the other 18 combined points, all of which were won via pinfall.
Gainey (190-pounds) pinned Logan Locklear, Hamilton (215) got his day started with a pinfall against James Sayer and senior Esaias Brunson (285-pounds) defeated Jayden Hunt.
Raiders also win big over Douglas Byrd
Similarly, Richmond used forfeits to get ahead of the Eagles and closed out the 53-18 victory with several pins and one technical fall.
Axel Nunez (126), Bridges (144), Wise (150) and junior Hayden Smith (157-pounds) each added six points thanks to forfeit wins.
Dylan Nunez (120) picked up five points when he defeated Ethan Freeman via tech fall. The final score of that match was 17-2.
Again earning pins for Richmond were Gainey (190), Hamilton (215) and Brunson (285). All three had first-round pins against Nicolas McRae, Traven Hines and Elijah Lewis, respectively.
Adding a pinfall victory was sophomore Jacob Hall, who defeated Ayden Hines in the 165-pound matchup to close out the scoring.
One-point loss to South Brunswick
The difference in the Raiders’ 34-33 loss to South Brunswick came down to the Vikings earning a major decision to Richmond’s decision.
Only Gardner (175) and Hamilton (215) benefited from not having an opponent to wrestle, combining for 12 points thanks to forfeit wins.
Three more wrestlers secured six points each for an additional 18 points when they pinned their respective opponents. Gainey (190) stayed undefeated when he pinned Andrew Robinson, while Dylan Nunez (120) and Smith (157) held Max Hunter and Matthew Lawson-Levy to the mat.
Axel Nunez (126) notched his third win of the day, a 7-1 win over Dominik Lanni for the Raiders’ final three points. The Vikings won when they earned a 10-0 major decision in the heavyweight bout and scored four points.
Tough Lumberton team proves hard to beat
Lumberton earned a 51-15 win over the Raiders using four pins, three forfeits and three decisions.
Capping their big days with a pinfall each were Gainey (190) and Hamilton (215). Both taking care of business in the first period, they pinned Christopher Fullmore and Wyatt Bullard, respectively, to end the meet 4-0.
Richmond’s other three points were won by sophomore Logan Carter (165-pounds). He had a 14-11 decision over Vincent Ellison.
The Raiders will head to South Florence High School Friday for the first day of a two-day tournament.
