PEMBROKE — Continuing its successful start to the new season, the Richmond Senior High School wrestling team earned two more wins on Wednesday.
The Raiders, head coach Richard Kerekes and assistant head coach Andre’ Ellerbe competed in their first full Sandhills Athletic Conference tri-match at Purnell Swett High School. Also joining Richmond and the Rams was Scotland High School.
Staying perfect in SAC play, the Raiders defeated rival Scotland 46-30, while also handing the Rams a 42-30 loss.
It was the second time Richmond held off the Fighting Scots, having also beaten them in the season opener at Anson High School.
“I'm just really proud of our team,” Kerekes said. “All the guys wrestled really well and they continue to improve. Even after being bumped up to heavier weight classes, our guys went out and wrestled confidently and got the job done.
“COVID continues to make this season difficult, with limited participation,” he added. “Our team had to give up a lot of forfeits, but the guys were up to the challenge.”
Against the Rams, Richmond surrendered 24 points via forfeit in the 106, 182, 195 and 220-pound weight classes. But Aiden Rountree (113), Andres Sanchez (126), Jaxson Martin (132) and Braxton Jenks (160) all earned six points each with forfeit wins.
The Raiders collected four wins in the five matches against Purnell Swett, starting with sophomore Naaman Perakis in the 138-pound weight class, who pinned Christian Smith.
Also picking up wins by pinfall were sophomore Messiah Shaw (152) and senior Kaden Walker (170). Shaw pinned William Locklear to the mat and Walker defeated Dylan Locklear.
In the Raiders’ second match, Richmond used four forfeits to earn 24 points against Scotland. Collecting those were Rountree (120), Martin (126), senior Michael DeMay (152) and Shaw (160).
Scotland also had four forfeit wins, taking six points each in the 113, 195, 220 and 285-pound matches.
Of the five remaining matches, the Raiders controlled the tempo with four wins, including three pins for 18 more points.
Perakis pinned Keldon Clark in the 138-pound contest, Jenks defeated Jonathan Meredith (170) and Walker made quick work against Ayden Sheppard in the 182-pound bout.
Rounding out Richmond’s score with four points was Sanchez in the 132-pound match. He won by a 16-5 major decision over Marcel Martin.
Richmond (5-1, 3-0 SAC) will return to action at home on Friday with a non-conference match against St. Pauls High School. Competition will get underway at 6 p.m.
