WASHINGTON, Pa. – Taylor Smith (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) led the Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team by capturing the 149-pound title Saturday afternoon at the Jim Crytzer Invitational at Washington & Lee University. 
 
Smith was one of nine placers for the Presidents during action Saturday. Smith posted a 4-0 record with a win by fall and three wins by major decision to claim the individual title at 149 pounds. Smith opened his day by recording a win by fall over Jordan Nutter of Ferrum College in 2:42. Smith then won by a 23-10 major decision score over Conner Pearce of Roanoke in the quarterfinals. Smith followed that up with a 13-4 major decision victory over Harris Foad of Washington & Lee to advance to the title bout. He concluded his perfect day with a 15-6 major decision victory over Collin Bridges of W&L to take the 149-pound title. 
 
Jaden Fields (Worthington, Ohio / Thomas Worthington) finished as the runner-up at 184 pounds. The freshman went 2-1 on the day. After advancing to the quarterfinals via a bye, Fields won by fall in just 1:48 over Omori Lee of Greensboro College. Fields then picked up a win by decision (9-3) against Christos Avgeros of Roanoke in the semifinals. Fields was edged by Alex Taylor of Roanoke by a 9-8 score in the title bout. 
 
A trio of Presidents finished in third place at their respective weights. 
 
Hunter Swedish (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) was third at 141 pounds. Swedish received a bye to start his day before tacking on a 16-1 win by technical fall over Joe Jackson of Roanoke. In the semifinals, Swedish was edged 4-1 by decision by Vincent Ziccardi of W&L. Swedish picked up a pair of victories in the consolations to secure third place. Swedish won by sudden victory, 16-13, over Garrett Hughes of Roanoke. Swedish then won by a 10-4 decision in a rematch with Jackson in the third-place match. 
 
Bryce Rodriguez-Uram (Carnegie, Pa./Carlynton) overcame an early loss to finish third at 157 pounds. After dropping his opening match by an 8-5 score via sudden victory, Rodriguez-Uram ripped off five-consecutive wins to secure third. Rodriguez-Uram won by tech. fall 20-4 over Brian Tavara of Marymount before adding a 4-1 win by sudden victory over Harper Meacham of W&L. Rodriguez-Uram then picked up steam with a win by fall before adding a 21-4 win by tech. fall over Bassem Sliti of Marymount. In the third-place match, Rodriguez-Uram picked up a 7-3 win by decision over Ethan Kring of Greensboro. 
 
Trevor Manley (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) went 2-1 at heavyweight to finish third. Manley fell in the semifinals by fall before winning by fall in 30 seconds over Porter Trapp (Southern Virginia). Manley won by major decision in the third-place match. 
 
Isaiah Payne (Greensburg, Pa. / Greensburg-Salem) finished fourth at heavyweight while Kevin Courseault (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Etiwanda) secured fourth at 165 pounds. Courseault went 3-2 at 165 pounds with a win by fall over Alexis Fidalgo of Ferrum highlighting his day. 
 
Joshua Searle (Red Creek, N.Y. / Red Creek Central) was fifth at 157 pounds while Michael Cruz (Malvern, Pa. / Great Valley) finished sixth at 125 pounds. 
 
Searle went 2-2 at 157 pounds with an opening-round win by decision over Andres Ramirez of Ferrum. After dropping a pair of matches, Searle won by tech. fall 29-14 over Bassem Sliti in the fifth-place match.

W&J returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 10 when Thiel College comes to Salvitti Family Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. dual match.