DANVILLE, Va. – The Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team capped off the final day of NCAA Division III Region IV competition by sending three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
Taylor Smith (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) remained as the sole Presidents to finish the weekend with an undefeated 4-0 record, winning the 149-pound bracket. In the semifinal round, Smith bested Josh Carman of Mount Union by decision (4-2) to advance to the first-place match. In the 149-pound championships match, Smith won in thrilling fashion with a sudden victory win over Cael Vanderhorst of Ohio Northern (SV-1, 4-1). Smith now moves his streak to two-straight seasons of making the NCAA National Championships.
Brother and teammate
Casey Smith (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) worked his way to Nationals with a 3-0 day on day two of regionals in the 157-pound bracket. Smith kicked off his day with a win by decision over Joseph Olalde of Ferrum (4-2). In the consolation semifinals, Smith bested Colin Bridges of Washington & Lee by tech fall (TF 6:20, 19-3), to advance to the third-place match. In the third-place bout, Smith won by decision over Andrew McDougal of Roanoke (3-2) to advance to NCAA Nationals for the firs time in his collegiate career.
Christian McChesney (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg-Salem) wrapped the Presidents wrestlers working their way to Nationals with a 2-1 record in the 285-heavyweight bracket. Despite a loss in the semifinal round, McChesney fought back in the consolation semifinals with a victory by tech fall over Nicholas Cook of Roanoke (TF 6:43, 17-1). In the third-place match, McChesney defeated Steven Marra of Mount Union by decision (8-7) to earn his first trip to NCAA Nationals as well.
Hunter Swedish (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) placed sixth in the 141-pound bracket with a 1-2 day two record. Swedish picked up a win by fall over Ridge Barkley of Mount Union (2:25) before dropping the remaining two matches.
Both Smith's and McChesney will resume wrestling at the 2025 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships on March 14-15 in Providence, R.I.
