South Rowan Freshman Wrestler Earns All-American Honors

Carson Raper places fourth at prestigious NHSCA National Wrestling Championships

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a high school wrestling match, with overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic energy and competition of the sport.A young wrestler's path to All-American honors is captured in a cubist, geometric interpretation of the intensity and movement of the sport.Virginia Beach Today

South Rowan High School freshman Carson Raper competed at the NHSCA (National High School Coaches Association) National Wrestling Championships, one of the biggest high school wrestling events in the country, and returned home with All-American honors after finishing fourth in the 106-pound freshman division.

Why it matters

Earning All-American status at the NHSCA Nationals is a significant achievement for a high school wrestler, as the event attracts top talent from across the United States. Raper's performance highlights the strength of the wrestling program at South Rowan High School and the potential for the young athlete to have a successful high school and collegiate wrestling career.

The details

Raper, who won the NCHSAA 4A state championship in February, went 7-2 at the NHSCA Nationals, with both of his losses coming against Jaxon Moralez from New Mexico. Raper lost to Moralez in the quarterfinals and again in the third-place match.

  • The NHSCA National Wrestling Championships were held from March 27-29, 2026.
  • Raper won the NCHSAA 4A state championship in February 2026.

The players

Carson Raper

A freshman wrestler at South Rowan High School who competed in the 106-pound division at the NHSCA National Wrestling Championships and earned All-American honors by finishing fourth.

Jaxon Moralez

A wrestler from New Mexico who defeated Carson Raper twice at the NHSCA Nationals, once in the quarterfinals and again in the third-place match.

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What’s next

Raper will look to build on his NHSCA Nationals performance and defend his NCHSAA 4A state championship title in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Carson Raper's impressive showing at the prestigious NHSCA National Wrestling Championships, where he earned All-American status as a freshman, demonstrates the strength of the wrestling program at South Rowan High School and the promising future of this young athlete.