SOUTHERN PINES — In its final regular-season match Wednesday, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling program faced a familiar and perennial powerhouse conference foe.
Competing on the road at Pinecrest High School, the Raiders lost 62-9 to the Patriots.
The Raiders’ points came from two wrestlers – sophomore NaSean McBride (138-pounds) and senior Jordan Hamilton (215-pounds).
McBride won his match and collected six points thanks to a forfeit.
Hamilton finished the match as the only Raider wrestler to defeat his opponent. He went all three periods to earn a 12-6 decision over Cole Harrison for the team’s final three points.
The Raiders gave up 18 points in forfeits in the 106, 113 and 132-pound matches. Five other matches ended in a loss for Richmond via pinfall.
Nearly getting the win in his match was sophomore Dylan Nunez (120-pounds). He lost 5-3 to Jimmy Araujo in a tiebreaker.
Senior Jason Gainey was also close in the 190-pound bout, but he fell 12-11 to Carson Burch.
Both of Richmond’s female wrestlers – sophomore Gabbi Geiger (114-pounds) and Brooklyn Windley (185-pounds) – lost their matches on pins.
There is no MSC championship tournament this year, so the Raiders and Lady Raiders will now prepare for the NCHSAA 7A West regional tournament.
The Raiders will wrestle at A.L. Brown High School and the Lady Raiders will compete at Southwest Guilford High School.
