Morgan, Nunez wrestle at national event

VIRGINIA BEACH — Two members of the Real Wrestlers Real Heroes wrestling club competed in a national high school and middle school wrestling tournament over the weekend.

Representing the club, coached by Earl Nicholson, at the National High School Coaches Association’s Nationals were K’Mauri Morgan and Dylan Nunez. Morgan is a junior at Richmond Senior High School and Nunez attends Hamlet Middle School as an eighth grader.

Over the winter high school season, Morgan was a state qualifier for the Raiders. At the tournament he wrestled in the senior division in the 220-pound weight class.

Nunez, who entered the tournament with an undefeated record for RWRH, competed in the 112-pound middle school division.

“This is one of the premier national tournaments in the country,” Nicholson said. “This was a great opportunity for our local wrestlers to showcase their skills and to see where they are when compared to kids from all over the country.”

Nicholson added that “nearly all the kids that make All-American status will receive scholarship offers.”

Nunez was just two wins shy of earning All-American, posting a 4-2 record in the event.

He started with a pinfall loss to Caleb Kirk (Louisiana) in the opening round, but rolled to four consecutive victories in the consolation bracket.

Nunez won all four matches via pinfall. He defeated Jayden Altman (Georgia, 1:24), Nicholas Gorman (Rhode Island, 2:35), Jacob Smeltzer (Virginia, 1:59) and Ben Lansom (New York, 1:49).

Making it to the round of eight wrestlers of the consolation bracket, Nunez’s impressive run came to an end against Cameron Haines (Florida). Nunez fell 15-0 in a technical fall.

Morgan received a bye in the first round of the senior division and went on to split his four matches, finishing with a 2-2 record.

After beginning with a pinfall loss to Tristan Crosby (New Mexico) in his first match, Morgan moved to the consolation bracket and won two of his next three matches.

His first victory was a 4-3 decision over Xavier Okereke (non-affiliated). Morgan followed that by jumping out to a 5-4 lead against Clayton Downs (Ohio), which ended in a medical forfeit victory for Morgan.

Advancing to the round of 16 in the consolation bracket, Morgan lost a close matchup 5-1 to fellow North Carolina wrestler Gavin Hardister.

RWRH trains at the Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy Sundays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.