WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team dropped their first home dual against Wheeling, 35-11.
 
W&J got off to a rocky start in their home opening dual against Wheeling. The Presidents secured two victories at the 133- and 141-pound weight classes. 
 
Josh Smith (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area) impressed in his collegiate dual debut. The freshman won by a tech fall 19-3 to put W&J on the board at 133 pounds. After Wheeling won the following matches with a pair of tech falls of their own, the score shifted 11-16 in favor of Wheeling. 
 
Wheeling proceeded to win the following five matches, four of which were by major decision. The lone exception came at 174 pounds where senior Joshua Searle (Red Creek, N.Y./Red Creek), lost by decision 3-7. 
 
W&J returns to competition Sunday (Nov. 17), where they will compete in the Waynesburg Duals facing off against Lycoming, Mount Union, and Penn State Behrend. First match is scheduled to commence at 2:00 p.m.
 
Match-By-Match Results
125 – Brent Bosley (Wheeling) wins by fall (2:01)  over Holden DuBois – (Wheeling 6-0)
133 – Josh Smith (W&J) wins by tech fall (5:15) over Christian Osborne (Wheeling) – (Wheeling 6-5)
141 – Hunter Swedish (W&J) wins by forfeit – (W&J 11-6)
149 – Caden Canning (Wheeling) wins by tech fall (1:29) over Peyton Carter (W&J) – (Tie 11-11)
157 – Ethan Aguiniga (Wheeling) wins by tech fall (16-1) over Nathan Thomas (2:52) – (Wheeling 16-11)
165 – Brian Crevar (Wheeling) wins by major decision (10-2) over Colin Feeney (W&J) – (Wheeling 20-11)
174 – Isaac Valdez (Wheeling) wins by decision (7-3) over Joshua Searle (W&J) – (Wheeling 23-11)
184 – Hunter Bittinger (Wheeling) wins by major decision (10-0) over John Starusko (W&J) – (Wheeling 27-11)
197 – Austin Hinzman (Wheeling) wins by major decision (13-4) over Jaden Fields (W&J) -  (Wheeling 31-11)
285 – Gavin Harper (Wheeling) wins by major decision (11-1) over Christian McChesney (W&J) – (Wheeling 35-11)