This year has been a rebuilding season for the Richmond wrestling team, and Thursday’s home match against Scotland was an example of the squad’s struggles.

The Raiders remained winless in Mid-Southeastern Conference competition after dropping a 69-8 decision to the rival Scots (14-7, 3-2).

“Right now, things are frustrating,” Raiders coach Ken Neal said. “Everyone has to be patient and they (Scotland) were a pretty good team. We’re going to keep working and trying to get better.”

Richmond (3-12, 0-4) was pinned in eight of its 14 matches. At the 103-pound match, the Raiders lost by forfeit, and Travis Griffin at 112 and Justin Wall at 215 both were disqualified in their matches. Richmond was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and had one point deducted.

“We’re taking bad shots, and we’re giving up take downs,” Neal said. “When that happens, we’re already giving up four points. I could tell when they were wrestling they were getting frustrated, and you can’t adjust when you’re like that. We’re just making a lot of the same mistakes and it’s hurting us.”

Scotland’s coach Joel McCanna said his squad is a little more seasoned than the Raiders. While both schools have three seniors in their lineup, McCanna said the Scots’ underclassmen have been involved in the program for a few years.

“It was a great match for us,” McCanna said. “I’ve been at Scotland for 15 years, and we’re pretty set in our ways. They got a new coach, who is still trying to establish their program. I think our experience against them played a big difference.”

Zack Covington and Kevin Alphonso were only two Raider grapplers to post wins. Covington won a 7-5 decision over Dustin Chavis in the 125-pound match, while Alphonso at 285-pound heavyweight pinned Fio Hoskins in the first period.

“I just let my frustration out when I took the mat to wrestle,” Alphonso, who improved his record 7-4 on the year with the victory, said. “I felt like someone had to win. We were giving up stupid points. We just aren’t disciplined and we got to a better job of being focused in practice.”

Match results — 103 - Zak Watts (S) forfeit; 112 - Matthew King (S) DQ over Griffin (R); 119 - Bradley Stewart (S) p. Chad Wright, 2:00; 125 - Covington (R) def. Chavis, 7-5; 130 - Trevin Hoskins (S) p. T.J. Gates (R), 43 sec.; 135 - Tyler Dennis (S) p. Jamar Allen (R), 34 sec.; 140 - Sam Williams (S) p. Scottie Brewington (R); 145 - Tyler Gates (S) def. Wesley Mason (R), 4-2; 152 - Joy Clark (S) p. John Mack (R), 47 sec.; 160 - Evan Baker (S) p. Justin Flores, 13 sec; 171 - Kyle Bland (S) p. Glen Williams (R), 1:31; 189 - Clifton Bostic (S) p. Tony Mora (R), 1:24; 215 - Davis Jones (S) DQ over Wall (R); 285 (HW) - Alphonso (R) p. Hoskins (S), 1:19;



Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com