FAYETTEVILLE — The Richmond Senior High School wrestling team continued its Mid-South Conference schedule Wednesday.
Unable to even its record against MSC teams, the Raiders suffered a 48-29 loss at Pine Forest High School.
Facing the Trojans for the first time in conference action, Richmond collected its points from five wrestlers. Four of the five victories were pinfalls and the other was a technical fall.
The Raiders gave away 18 points with forfeit losses in the 106, 113 and 132-pound weight classes. Pine Forest’s remaining points were tallied thanks to four pins and two decisions.
Richmond’s top wrestlers did what they needed to do to give the Raiders a chance at a team victory, much like they have all season.
The team’s first win came from freshman Axel Nunez (126-pounds), who pinned Jaxton Couch near the midway point of the second period.
Snapping a four-match losing streak in the middleweights, sophomore NaSean McBride got Richmond back on the board with a pinfall. He held Maxton Scott to the mat less than a minute into the match’s first round.
Recording the team’s final three wins was a trio of veteran heavyweights — junior Konner Gardner (175-pounds), senior Jason Gainey (190-pounds) and senior Jordan Hamilton (215-pounds).
Both Gardner and Gainey each had a pinfall win. Gardner defeated Adam Cannon less than 30 seconds into the first period, while Gainey outmuscled Sean Som for a second-period pin.
Adding the final five points to the Raiders’ score, Hamilton was quick with his points en route to a tech fall win. Notching his 30th victory of the season, Hamilton defeated Keith Ezzell 19-3 early in the second period.
For the Lady Raiders, sophomore Gabriyel Geiger (114-pounds) and senior Brooklyn Windley (185-pounds) competed in one match apiece.
Windley got the only win for the girls’ team with a forfeit victory.
Richmond (13-21, 1-3 MSC) will wrestle again at non-conference Cheraw High School Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
