FAIRFAX, Va. — Joey Nicholson wrestled his way to a second-place finish at the “Melee Til Midnight” national tournament at George Mason University over the weekend.

Nicholson, a rising junior for the Richmond wrestling team, made the trip with the School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) wrestling club — based out of High Point and coached by Bob Lloyd. He competed in the 113-pound weight class with 15 other wrestlers and won three consecutive matches before falling in the final round.

Nicholson would open the day with a forfeit victory over Kevin Brown (Bear Brawlers, Va.), win by pinfall over Hunter Brown (Fauquier Wrestling Club, Va.) in the quarterfinals, and then pin club teammate Zach Brimm in the semis. In the finals, however, he faced another club mate in Elijah Boyd but ultimately dropped a 2-0 decision.

Both Brimm and Boyd were state qualifiers this past season.

It was Nicholson’s second runner-up finish in a national level tournament, as he received All-American honors after finishing second at the My House National Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in April.

“I’m going to keep training and continue to fix my mistakes as I prepare for the Super 32 National tournament held in Atlantic City New Jersey in August,” Nicholson said.

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Staff Report