ROCKINGHAM — With the final couple of winter sports programs still needing to be recognized, The Richmond Observer focuses on the Raider wrestling team in this installment of our series.
Continued growth across the program under head coach Andre’ Ellerbe during the 2024-25 season culminated in one wrestler’s journey toward a hopeful 4A state championship.
Capping his illustrious career, K’Mauri Morgan won the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship in the 215-pound weight class. He followed that with an impressive run at the state meet, which saw him finish third overall in his division.
Overcoming a shoulder injury in his second of six matches, Morgan battled the adversity to put together a 5-1 record at states. He also recorded more than 100 career wins during his career, an achievement celebrated earlier in the winter.
Hear from Morgan and reread his trip to the state championship meet from Feb. 25, 2025 below:
Morgan places 3rd at 4A wrestling state championship
GREENSBORO — When he dislocated his shoulder during his quarterfinal match at the NCHSAA 4A state championship wrestling meet, K’Mauri Morgan’s first thought was his chance at an individual title was shot.
But that was just the beginning of Morgan’s run at the Greensboro Coliseum over the weekend, which ended in a third-place finish and a lot of gratitude from the Richmond Senior High School wrestler.
While his injury did knock him from contention for a state championship in the 215-pound bracket, Morgan overcame the pain to finish the tournament with a 5-1 record. That put his season record at 35-3.
“It feels good to finish third in the state,” Morgan shared. “I’m very thankful and wouldn't have been able to do it without God. It is definitely a big accomplishment because not everyone gets the opportunity to compete at this level.
“I really wanted to win the state championship and I think I would have if my shoulder didn’t pop out,” he continued. “But, honestly, I’m really proud of myself for being able to wrestle through the injury and get on the podium. That’s an even bigger story to me.”
The three-day event saw Morgan open with one match Saturday, which resulted in a pinfall victory over Darrell McIntyre of E.A. Laney High School in the second period.
That led to a rematch from earlier in the season with top-seeded Hayden Haynes of McDowell High School in the quarterfinals.
It was in that match during the second period that Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder while he held a lead on the scoreboard.
“I remember just laying on the mat and my dad came over and popped it back in place,” Morgan recalled. “I was ready to continue wrestling but the ref stopped the match and I lost because of an injury forfeit.
“I was crushed at the time because I really thought I was able to finish the match,” he added. “It took a little while to get my mind right, but I was determined to finish as best I could.”
Morgan wrestled one more time Sunday in the second round of the consolation bracket. He advanced to the final day when he pinned Andrew Hassard of Grimsely High School with an inside cradle in the second period.
The final day of the tournament started smoothly for Morgan, who needed three more wins in order to claim third place.
He opened the day with a pinfall victory over Jeremiah Glass (Cardinal Gibbons High School) in the third period. Next, he cruised past Joshua Patterson (Enloe High School) by way of technical fall and a score of 22-5.
Ready to finish what he started, Morgan again made quick work in the third-place match against Drake Watts of A.L. Brown High School. He rolled to a 19-3 technical fall victory, securing his final three points on a takedown early in the third period.
“During the third-place match, my shoulder was numb,” Morgan said. “But I got into the right mindset and was in kill mode. I was ready to work. I didn’t care if it was hard or easy, I just wanted to get third.
“After I got my first takedown, it was on. I was on go and knew (Watts) couldn’t stop me.”
Morgan celebrated triumphantly before having his arm raised by the referee to signal the win. Taking in the career milestone moment, Morgan found his family in the crowd.
“Once I was down on the floor, it was such a great feeling,” Morgan explained. “It’s like I was part of something so big in such a great atmosphere. A lot of people tuned in to watch me wrestle after my injury and I had a lot of people I didn’t even know cheering me on.
“I’m not totally satisfied with third,” he closed. “But I am satisfied with the way everything came together at the end. It was so great to celebrate with my family and friends.”
