The Nansemond River High School wrestling team traveled to Richmond and put up a strong showing in a field of 16 squads during the ninth annual Tiger Invitational at John Randolph Tucker High School on Saturday.

The Warriors placed second as a team, while NR senior Malcolm Dawson and junior Dia Gray took first in the 113-pound and 285-pound weight classes, respectively.

“They dominated everybody they wrestled,” Nansemond River coach Tripp Seed said of Dawson and Gray.

Dawson was voted Outstanding Wrestler in the lower division.

As a team, J.R. Tucker won its invitational with 196 points, and the Warriors finished with 171.
Dawson and Gray generated 30 points apiece, winning all of their matches by pin.

Championship — quarterfinals

• 113 – Dawson pins Shane Morton (J.R Tucker) in 0:53
• 285 – Gray pins Arthur Stevens (Caroline County) in 3:33

Championship — semifinals

• 113 – Dawson pins Perrin Fay (Western Branch) in 1:18
• 285 – Gray pins Jack Oppenheim (Deep Run) in 1:42

Championship — first-place finals

• 113 – Dawson pins Jonah Herman (J.R Tucker) in 2:15
• 285 – Gray pins Ramon Ares (Colonial Heights) in 1:26

“We had 11 of our guys place out of the 14 that we took, so that was good,” Seed said.
Warriors’ sophomore 106-pounder Derrick Cannon and junior 220-pounder Tommy Cervantes each took third place, going 4-1. Following are the results from their performances in championship and consolation matches:

Championship – first round

• 106 – Cannon defeats Kevin Velez (Clover Hill) by a 15-5 major decision
• 220 – Cervantes pins Jose Dudley (Freeman) in 1:05

Championship – quarterfinals

• 106 – Joe Paul (Maggie Walker Governor’s School) defeats Cannon by 13-6 major decision
• 220 – Robbie Adelstein (Atlee) pins Cervantes in 3:21

Consolation (third) – semifinals

• 106 – Cannon defeats Preston Thayer (Colonial Heights) by technical fall, 20-4
• 220 – Cervantes pins Ethan Paul (Caroline County) in 0:22

Championship – third place finals

• 106 – Cannon defeats Mason Grimes (Western Branch) by a 9-5 decision
• 220 – Cervantes pins Garrett Altizer (Patrick Henry-Ashland) in 0:30

Warriors’ freshman 160-pounder Zechiariah Gray finished in fourth place, going 3-2, and freshman 145-pounder Aaron Whear took fifth place with a 3-2 record.

Nansemond River (11-9) hosts Smithfield High School in a dual meet on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and then hosts matches against conference opponents on Saturday.